Arctic Tern vs Ring-billed Gull
Sterna paradisaea comparé à Larus delawarensis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Arctic Tern | Ring-billed Gull |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Sterna paradisaea | Larus delawarensis |
| 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) | 73,2 cm (28.8 in) |
| Poids | 110,0 g (3.88 oz) | 500,0 g (17.64 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Small fish and crustaceans caught by plunge-diving from the air. Hovers briefly before diving. | -- |
| Taille de la couvée | 2-3 | 3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
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.
Song & Call Comparison
Arctic Tern
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.
Ring-billed Gull
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.
Ring-billed Gull
Statut de conservation
Arctic Tern
Ring-billed Gull
How to Tell Them Apart
Arctic Tern
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.
Slender, pointed, bright red bill
Ring-billed Gull
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.
Ring-billed Gull
Ring-billed Gull, 43–54 cm, is North America's most abundant gull, breeding on lakes from the Great Plains to the Great Lakes and wintering on all coasts. Adult has a distinctive black ring near bill tip, yellow legs. Omnivore; thrives on garbage, parking lots, and agricultural fields.