Arctic Tern vs Peregrine Falcon
Sterna paradisaea comparé à Falco peregrinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Arctic Tern | Peregrine Falcon |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Sterna paradisaea | Falco peregrinus |
| Ordre | Charadriiformes | Falconiformes |
| Famille | Laridae | Falconidae |
| Statut de conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Longueur | 34,0 cm (13.4 in) | 43,0 cm (16.9 in) |
| Envergure | 80,0 cm (31.5 in) | 104,0 cm (40.9 in) |
| Poids | 110,0 g (3.88 oz) | 750,0 g (26.46 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Small fish and crustaceans caught by plunge-diving from the air. Hovers briefly before diving. | Almost exclusively medium-sized birds caught in flight, including pigeons, doves, waterfowl, and songbirds. Hunts with … |
| Taille de la couvée | 2-3 | 2-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Habitats partagés
Arctic Tern only
Aucun(e)
Peregrine Falcon 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.
Peregrine Falcon
Diverse habitats from tundra to tropics, typically near cliffs or tall structures. Increasingly found in cities nesting on skyscrapers and bridges.
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.
Peregrine Falcon
A harsh, wailing 'kak-kak-kak-kak' repeated rapidly in defense of the nest. Alarm call is a long screaming 'raaak'. Mostly silent away from breeding sites.
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.
Peregrine Falcon
One of the most widespread birds, found on every continent except Antarctica. Migratory populations travel vast distances between breeding and wintering grounds.
Statut de conservation
Arctic Tern
Peregrine Falcon
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
Peregrine Falcon
Blue-grey upperparts with barred white underparts. A distinctive black moustachial stripe contrasts with the white throat and cheeks.
Short, notched blue-grey bill with a yellow cere
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.
Peregrine Falcon
The peregrine falcon is the fastest animal on Earth, reaching speeds over 389 km/h during its characteristic hunting stoop. Like the bald eagle, peregrines suffered dramatic declines from DDT but have recovered through intensive conservation programs. They have adapted remarkably well to urban environments.