Arctic Tern vs Least Tern
Sterna paradisaea comparé à Sternula antillarum
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Arctic Tern | Least Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Sterna paradisaea | Sternula antillarum |
| 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) | 33,0 cm (13.0 in) |
| Poids | 110,0 g (3.88 oz) | 46,75 g (1.65 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
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.
Least 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.
Least Tern
Statut de conservation
Arctic Tern
Least 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
Least 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.
Least Tern
Least Tern is North America's smallest tern, 22–24 cm, breeding on sandy beaches and river sandbars from the Atlantic coast to the interior. Endangered (interior subspecies). Yellow bill, white forehead, grey upperparts. Hovers and plunge-dives for small fish in coastal and riverine habitats.