Arctic Tern vs Atlantic White Tern

Sterna paradisaea comparé à Gygis alba

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut Arctic Tern Atlantic White Tern
Nom scientifique Sterna paradisaea Gygis alba
Ordre Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Famille Laridae Laridae
Statut de conservation Least Concern Least Concern
Longueur 34,0 cm (13.4 in)
Envergure 80,0 cm (31.5 in) 50,4 cm (19.8 in)
Poids 110,0 g (3.88 oz) 138,0 g (4.87 oz)
Régime alimentaire Small fish and crustaceans caught by plunge-diving from the air. Hovers briefly before diving. --
Taille de la couvée 2-3 1
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
Arctic Tern 34,0 cm
Atlantic White Tern
Envergure
Arctic Tern 80,0 cm
Atlantic White Tern 50,4 cm
Poids
Arctic Tern 110,0 g
Atlantic White Tern 138,0 g
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Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

Arctic Tern only

Atlantic White Tern only

Aucun(e)

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.

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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.

Atlantic White Tern

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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.

Atlantic White Tern

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Statut de conservation

Least Concern

Arctic Tern

Least Concern

Atlantic White Tern

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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

Atlantic White Tern

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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.

Atlantic White Tern

Atlantic White Tern: 28–33 cm, wingspan 76–87 cm, ethereally white seabird with blue-grey bill, blue orbital ring, and large dark eyes. Breeds on tropical Atlantic islands including Ascension and Saint Helena; related species widespread across the Indo-Pacific. Nests on bare branches with no nest material. Feeds on small fish near the surface.

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Related Comparisons

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