Arctic Tern vs Shoebill

Sterna paradisaea 比較対象 Balaeniceps rex

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Side-by-Side Comparison

属性 Arctic Tern Shoebill
学名 Sterna paradisaea Balaeniceps rex
Charadriiformes Pelecaniformes
Laridae Balaenicipitidae
保全状況 Least Concern Vulnerable
体長 34.0 cm (13.4 in) 120.0 cm (47.2 in)
翼開長 80.0 cm (31.5 in) 240.0 cm (94.5 in)
体重 110.0 g (3.88 oz) 5500.0 g (194.01 oz)
食性 Small fish and crustaceans caught by plunge-diving from the air. Hovers briefly before diving. Primarily lungfish, also catfish, water snakes, monitor lizards, and baby crocodiles. Hunts by standing motionless, …
一腹卵数 2-3 1-3
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
Arctic Tern 34.0 cm
Shoebill 120.0 cm
翼開長
Arctic Tern 80.0 cm
Shoebill 240.0 cm
体重
Arctic Tern 110.0 g
Shoebill 5500.0 g
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Habitat Comparison

共通生息地

Arctic Tern only

Shoebill only

None

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.

Shoebill

Freshwater swamps dominated by papyrus and other dense aquatic vegetation in tropical East Africa.

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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.

Shoebill

さえずり

Largely silent; produces mechanical bill-clattering 'clap-clap-clap' when greeting at the nest — similar to White Stork. Also gives low croaking grunts. Rarely calls in the wild.

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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.

Shoebill

Central and East Africa from South Sudan and Ethiopia south to Zambia. Largest populations in South Sudan and Uganda.

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保全状況

Least Concern

Arctic Tern

Vulnerable

Shoebill

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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

Shoebill

羽毛

Blue-grey plumage overall with a slightly darker back and wings. Powder down gives a washed-out appearance. Small tuft on the back of the head.

くちばし

Massive shoe-shaped bill, one of the largest of any bird — pale yellowish-grey with darker markings

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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。

Shoebill

The shoebill is one of the most sought-after birds for birdwatchers visiting Africa, prized for its prehistoric appearance and massive bill. It can stand motionless for hours before collapsing forward to seize prey in its enormous bill. Despite standing over a meter tall, shoebills weigh relatively little due to their hollow bones.

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