Arctic Herring Gull vs Aleutian Tern
Larus smithsonianus compared with Onychoprion aleuticus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Herring Gull | Aleutian Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus smithsonianus | Onychoprion aleuticus |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 85.9 cm (33.8 in) | 52.4 cm (20.6 in) |
| Weight | 1108.0 g (39.08 oz) | 104.88 g (3.70 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | 1-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Arctic Herring Gull only
Aleutian Tern only
None
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Arctic Herring Gull
Vulnerable
Aleutian Tern
About These Birds
Arctic Herring Gull
Arctic Herring Gull, 55–66 cm, breeds across Arctic North America and winters on all coasts of the US. Formerly lumped with European Herring Gull; darker-eyed on average, slightly more northerly range. Omnivore and scavenger; abundant at fishing ports, dumps, and beaches in winter.
Aleutian Tern
Aleutian Tern, 32–34 cm, breeds colonially in Alaska and Russian Far East, wintering in Southeast Asian waters — one of the most poorly tracked migrations among seabirds. Dark grey above, white below, black cap with white forehead. Piscivore; dives for small fish. Near Threatened.