Arctic Tern vs Kerguelen Tern
Sterna paradisaea comparé à Sterna virgata
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Arctic Tern | Kerguelen Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Sterna paradisaea | Sterna virgata |
| Ordre | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Famille | Laridae | Laridae |
| Statut de conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
| Longueur | 34,0 cm (13.4 in) | — |
| Envergure | 80,0 cm (31.5 in) | 50,0 cm (19.7 in) |
| Poids | 110,0 g (3.88 oz) | 127,5 g (4.50 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Small fish and crustaceans caught by plunge-diving from the air. Hovers briefly before diving. | -- |
| Taille de la couvée | 2-3 | 1-2 |
| 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.
Kerguelen Tern
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.
Kerguelen Tern
Statut de conservation
Arctic Tern
Kerguelen Tern
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
Kerguelen Tern
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.
Kerguelen Tern
Kerguelen Tern, 31–33 cm, is restricted to a handful of sub-Antarctic islands including Kerguelen and Crozet. Darker grey than Antarctic Tern, with reddish bill. Piscivore and invertivore; forages in kelp beds and coastal waters. Near Threatened; small, isolated population vulnerable to introduced predators.