Arctic Tern vs Pacific Gull

Sterna paradisaea comparé à Larus pacificus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut Arctic Tern Pacific Gull
Nom scientifique Sterna paradisaea Larus pacificus
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) 88,8 cm (35.0 in)
Poids 110,0 g (3.88 oz) 1232,5 g (43.48 oz)
Régime alimentaire Small fish and crustaceans caught by plunge-diving from the air. Hovers briefly before diving. --
Taille de la couvée 2-3 1-3
Population Trend

Size Comparison

Body Length
Arctic Tern 34,0 cm
Pacific Gull
Envergure
Arctic Tern 80,0 cm
Pacific Gull 88,8 cm
Poids
Arctic Tern 110,0 g
Pacific Gull 1232,5 g

Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

Arctic Tern only

Pacific Gull 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.

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.

Pacific 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.

Pacific Gull

Statut de conservation

Least Concern

Arctic Tern

Least Concern

Pacific Gull

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

Pacific 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.

Pacific Gull

Pacific Gull, 58–66 cm, is Australia's largest gull, resident on southern and western coasts. Massive yellow and red bill capable of cracking mollusc shells by dropping them from height. White body, black mantle and wings. Omnivore; forages on rocky shores and beaches. Slow-maturing; takes 4 years for adult plumage.

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