Aleutian Tern vs Sandwich Tern

Onychoprion aleuticus compared with Thalasseus sandvicensis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Aleutian Tern Sandwich Tern
Scientific Name Onychoprion aleuticus Thalasseus sandvicensis
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Laridae Laridae
Conservation Status Vulnerable Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 52.4 cm (20.6 in) 57.7 cm (22.7 in)
Weight 104.88 g (3.70 oz) 223.5 g (7.88 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 1-4 1-2
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Aleutian Tern only

Sandwich Tern only

None

Conservation Status

Vulnerable

Aleutian Tern

Least Concern

Sandwich 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.

Sandwich Tern

Sandwich Tern, 36–41 cm, is a widespread coastal tern breeding from Western Europe and the Caspian Sea to the Caribbean. Black cap with shaggy crest, slender black bill with a yellow tip. Plunge-dives forcefully for sand eels and sprats. Strongly migratory; European birds winter to West Africa.

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