Arctic Tern vs Black-headed Gull

Sterna paradisaea comparé à Larus ridibundus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut Arctic Tern Black-headed Gull
Nom scientifique Sterna paradisaea Larus ridibundus
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) 58,2 cm (22.9 in)
Poids 110,0 g (3.88 oz) 261,0 g (9.21 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
Black-headed Gull
Envergure
Arctic Tern 80,0 cm
Black-headed Gull 58,2 cm
Poids
Arctic Tern 110,0 g
Black-headed Gull 261,0 g

Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

Arctic Tern only

Aucun(e)

Black-headed 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.

Black-headed 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.

Black-headed Gull

Statut de conservation

Least Concern

Arctic Tern

Least Concern

Black-headed 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

Black-headed 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.

Black-headed Gull

Black-headed Gull, 38–44 cm, is one of Europe's commonest gulls, breeding across the Palearctic on wetlands and coasts. Chocolate-brown (not black) hood in summer, lost in winter leaving dark ear-spot. Omnivore; follows ploughs, scavenges in cities, dips for invertebrates. Migratory.

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