Arctic Tern vs Great Horned Owl

Sterna paradisaea 比較対象 Bubo virginianus

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Side-by-Side Comparison

属性 Arctic Tern Great Horned Owl
学名 Sterna paradisaea Bubo virginianus
Charadriiformes Strigiformes
Laridae Strigidae
保全状況 Least Concern Least Concern
体長 34.0 cm (13.4 in) 55.0 cm (21.7 in)
翼開長 80.0 cm (31.5 in) 127.0 cm (50.0 in)
体重 110.0 g (3.88 oz) 1400.0 g (49.38 oz)
食性 Small fish and crustaceans caught by plunge-diving from the air. Hovers briefly before diving. Extremely diverse — mammals (rabbits, skunks, rodents), birds (including other raptors), reptiles, amphibians, and fish. …
一腹卵数 2-3 1-4
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
Arctic Tern 34.0 cm
Great Horned Owl 55.0 cm
翼開長
Arctic Tern 80.0 cm
Great Horned Owl 127.0 cm
体重
Arctic Tern 110.0 g
Great Horned Owl 1400.0 g
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Habitat Comparison

共通生息地

Arctic Tern only

Great Horned Owl 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.

Great Horned Owl

Diverse habitats including forests, deserts, swamps, urban parks, and suburban areas. Nests in tree hollows, cliff ledges, and abandoned nests of other large birds.

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Song & Call Comparison

Arctic Tern

さえずり

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.

Great Horned Owl

さえずり

Deep, resonant 'who-who-who-who-ooo': the classic 'hoo-h'HOO-hoo-hoo' territorial duet of a mated pair. Booms at dusk. Female pitch slightly higher than male.

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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.

Great Horned Owl

North and South America from subarctic Canada to Tierra del Fuego. One of the most widespread owls in the Americas.

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保全状況

Least Concern

Arctic Tern

Least Concern

Great Horned Owl

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How to Tell Them Apart

Arctic Tern

羽毛

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.

くちばし

Slender, pointed, bright red bill

Great Horned Owl

羽毛

Mottled grey-brown plumage with heavy dark barring. Prominent ear tufts, yellow eyes, and a white throat patch give a fierce expression.

くちばし

Dark grey-black hooked bill almost hidden by facial disc feathers

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About These Birds

Arctic Tern

キョクアジサシはあらゆる動物の中で最長の渡りを行い、毎年北極と南極を往復する約7万kmの旅をする。30年の寿命の中に、月への往復3回分に相当する飛翔距離を積み重ねる可能性がある。地球上でどの生物よりも多くの昼光を経験するこの驚異的な鳥は、太陽を追い続ける。

Great Horned Owl

The great horned owl is the most powerful and widespread owl in the Americas, earning the nickname tiger of the sky. It is one of the earliest nesting birds, often laying eggs in January when snow still covers the ground. Great horned owls are fierce predators, regularly taking prey up to three times their own weight.

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