African Penguin vs Arctic Tern
Spheniscus demersus comparado com Sterna paradisaea
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Atributo | African Penguin | Arctic Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Nome científico | Spheniscus demersus | Sterna paradisaea |
| Ordem | Sphenisciformes | Charadriiformes |
| Família | Spheniscidae | Laridae |
| Estado de conservação | Endangered | Least Concern |
| Comprimento | 60,0 cm (23.6 in) | 34,0 cm (13.4 in) |
| Envergadura | 42,0 cm (16.5 in) | 80,0 cm (31.5 in) |
| Peso | 3100,0 g (109.35 oz) | 110,0 g (3.88 oz) |
| Dieta | Small schooling fish, especially sardines and anchovies. Forages within 40 km of the colony, diving … | Small fish and crustaceans caught by plunge-diving from the air. Hovers briefly before diving. |
| Tamanho da postura | 2 | 2-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
African Penguin
Rocky coastlines and offshore islands of southern Africa. Nests in burrows, under boulders, or in surface scrapes.
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
African Penguin
A loud, donkey-like braying 'waaah-waaah' — hence its nickname 'jackass penguin'. Also gives softer grunts and contact calls at the colony. Highly vocal on breeding beaches.
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.
Geographic Range & Migration
African Penguin
Coastal southwestern Africa from Namibia to Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The only penguin species breeding in Africa.
Arctic Tern
Breeds in the Arctic and sub-Arctic. Migrates to the Antarctic, experiencing two summers per year. Found on every ocean.
Estado de conservação
African Penguin
Arctic Tern
How to Tell Them Apart
African Penguin
Black upperparts and white underparts with a distinctive black horseshoe-shaped band across the breast. Pink patches of bare skin above the eyes help with thermoregulation.
Sturdy, pointed, black bill with a grey band near the tip
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
About These Birds
African Penguin
O único pinguim nidificante na África, pertencente à família Spheniscidae. O Pinguim-africano (Spheniscus demersus) habita costas rochosas e ilhas do sul da África, da Namíbia ao leste da África do Sul. Mede aproximadamente 60-70 cm e pesa entre 2-5 kg. Caracterizado pelo padrão preto e branco distintivo com uma faixa preta em forma de U no peito e manchas pretas nas partes brancas. Excelente nadador, alimenta-se principalmente de peixes como sardinhas e anchovas. Vocaliza com um chamado semelhante ao zurro …
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.