Aleutian Tern vs Grey-backed Tern
Onychoprion aleuticus compared with Onychoprion lunatus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Aleutian Tern | Grey-backed Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Onychoprion aleuticus | Onychoprion lunatus |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 52.4 cm (20.6 in) | 52.2 cm (20.6 in) |
| Weight | 104.88 g (3.70 oz) | 126.21666666666665 g (4.45 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-4 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Vulnerable
Aleutian Tern
Least Concern
Grey-backed Tern
About These Birds
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.
Grey-backed Tern
Grey-backed Tern, 35–37 cm, is a Pacific seabird breeding on islands from Hawaii to Micronesia and Polynesia. Pale grey back distinguishes it from the similar Bridled Tern; white below with black cap. Piscivore; surface-dips and shallow plunge-dives. Largely pelagic when not breeding.