Andean Gull vs Elegant Tern
Larus serranus compared with Thalasseus elegans
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Andean Gull | Elegant Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus serranus | Thalasseus elegans |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 70.6 cm (27.8 in) | 59.3 cm (23.3 in) |
| Weight | 478.0 g (16.86 oz) | 236.16666666666666 g (8.33 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-4 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Andean Gull
Near Threatened
Elegant Tern
About These Birds
Andean Gull
Andean Gull, 45–48 cm, breeds at high-altitude Andean lakes from Colombia to Argentina, typically above 3000 m. Black hood in breeding plumage; white below with grey mantle. Largely insectivore, following cattle or foraging at lake edges. Partial altitudinal migrant descending to Pacific and Atlantic coasts in winter.
Elegant Tern
Elegant Tern, 39–43 cm, breeds in a few large colonies on islands off Baja California and winters along Pacific coasts of South America. Long, drooping orange bill, shaggy black crest. Piscivore; dependent on Northern Anchovy and Pacific Sardine. Near Threatened; highly colonial breeder.