Arctic Tern vs Snowy Owl

Sterna paradisaea 比較対象 Bubo scandiacus

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Side-by-Side Comparison

属性 Arctic Tern Snowy Owl
学名 Sterna paradisaea Bubo scandiacus
Charadriiformes Strigiformes
Laridae Strigidae
保全状況 Least Concern Vulnerable
体長 34.0 cm (13.4 in) 63.0 cm (24.8 in)
翼開長 80.0 cm (31.5 in) 145.0 cm (57.1 in)
体重 110.0 g (3.88 oz) 2100.0 g (74.08 oz)
食性 Small fish and crustaceans caught by plunge-diving from the air. Hovers briefly before diving. Primarily lemmings on the breeding grounds, where a pair may consume over 1,500 per year. …
一腹卵数 2-3 3-14
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
Arctic Tern 34.0 cm
Snowy Owl 63.0 cm
翼開長
Arctic Tern 80.0 cm
Snowy Owl 145.0 cm
体重
Arctic Tern 110.0 g
Snowy Owl 2100.0 g
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Habitat Comparison

共通生息地

Arctic Tern only

None

Snowy Owl 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.

Snowy Owl

Arctic tundra for breeding. Winters in open habitats resembling tundra, including prairies, airports, shorelines, and agricultural fields.

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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.

Snowy Owl

さえずり

Male gives a deep booming hoot 'hooooo' and a rising 'hoo-hoo' series. Also barks sharply when alarmed. Quieter than many owls; silent during long Arctic winter hunts.

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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.

Snowy Owl

Circumpolar Arctic for breeding. Irruptive winter movements bring birds south to the northern United States, Europe, and Asia.

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保全状況

Least Concern

Arctic Tern

Vulnerable

Snowy 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

Snowy Owl

羽毛

Adult males are almost entirely white. Females and immatures have dark brown barring and spotting. Yellow eyes and fully feathered feet.

くちばし

Dark hooked bill mostly hidden by dense facial feathering

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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。

Snowy Owl

The snowy owl is the heaviest North American owl and one of the most charismatic Arctic birds. Unlike most owls, it is largely diurnal, necessitated by the continuous daylight of Arctic summers. Snowy owl irruptions — periodic mass southward movements — are tied to lemming population cycles.

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