Arctic Tern vs Eurasian Eagle-Owl

Sterna paradisaea comparé à Bubo bubo

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut Arctic Tern Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Nom scientifique Sterna paradisaea Bubo bubo
Ordre Charadriiformes Strigiformes
Famille Laridae Strigidae
Statut de conservation Least Concern Least Concern
Longueur 34,0 cm (13.4 in) 68,0 cm (26.8 in)
Envergure 80,0 cm (31.5 in) 170,0 cm (66.9 in)
Poids 110,0 g (3.88 oz) 2800,0 g (98.77 oz)
Régime alimentaire Small fish and crustaceans caught by plunge-diving from the air. Hovers briefly before diving. Mammals up to the size of hares and young foxes, and birds up to the …
Taille de la couvée 2-3 2-4
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
Arctic Tern 34,0 cm
Eurasian Eagle-Owl 68,0 cm
Envergure
Arctic Tern 80,0 cm
Eurasian Eagle-Owl 170,0 cm
Poids
Arctic Tern 110,0 g
Eurasian Eagle-Owl 2800,0 g
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Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

Arctic Tern only

Eurasian Eagle-Owl only

Arctic Tern

Breeds on coastal and tundra habitats. Spends most of its life at sea over the open ocean. Nests in colonies on beaches and rocky shores.

Eurasian Eagle-Owl

Rocky landscapes, cliffs, gorges, and open forest across Eurasia. Increasingly found near human settlements.

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Song & Call Comparison

Arctic Tern

Chant

A sharp, grating 'kree-yah' alarm call. Also gives 'kik-kik-kik' near the nest. Highly aggressive vocally during the Arctic breeding season. Calls are harsh and insistent.

Eurasian Eagle-Owl

Chant

Powerful, resonant 'ooo-hu' duetting with mate across great distances at dusk. One of Europe's deepest owl calls. Also gives barking screams, hisses, and grunts at the nest.

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Geographic Range & Migration

Arctic Tern

Breeds in the Arctic and sub-Arctic. Migrates to the Antarctic, experiencing two summers per year. Found on every ocean.

Eurasian Eagle-Owl

Widespread across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The most widely distributed eagle-owl.

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Statut de conservation

Least Concern

Arctic Tern

Least Concern

Eurasian Eagle-Owl

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How to Tell Them Apart

Arctic Tern

Plumage

Pale grey upperparts, white underparts with a black cap. Blood-red bill and short red legs. Deeply forked tail streamers. Winter adults lose the full black cap.

Bec

Slender, pointed, bright red bill

Eurasian Eagle-Owl

Plumage

Tawny-brown plumage heavily mottled and streaked with black. Large prominent orange eyes and long ear tufts. Streaked breast and barred belly.

Bec

Powerful, dark grey-black hooked bill

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About These Birds

Arctic Tern

The Arctic tern holds the record for the longest known migration of any animal, traveling roughly 70,000 km annually from Arctic to Antarctic and back. Over its 30-year lifespan, it may fly the equivalent of three round trips to the Moon. This remarkable bird experiences more daylight than any other creature on Earth.

Eurasian Eagle-Owl

The Eurasian eagle-owl is one of the largest owl species in the world, with females sometimes reaching a wingspan of nearly two meters. Its deep booming call can be heard up to four kilometers away on calm nights. These apex predators sit at the top of the avian food chain, preying on other raptors including buzzards and smaller owls.

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