Arctic Tern vs Common Starling
Sterna paradisaea comparado com Sturnus vulgaris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Atributo | Arctic Tern | Common Starling |
|---|---|---|
| Nome científico | Sterna paradisaea | Sturnus vulgaris |
| Ordem | Charadriiformes | Passeriformes |
| Família | Laridae | Sturnidae |
| Estado de conservação | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Comprimento | 34,0 cm (13.4 in) | 21,5 cm (8.5 in) |
| Envergadura | 80,0 cm (31.5 in) | 37,0 cm (14.6 in) |
| Peso | 110,0 g (3.88 oz) | 78,0 g (2.75 oz) |
| Dieta | Small fish and crustaceans caught by plunge-diving from the air. Hovers briefly before diving. | Omnivorous — insects and larvae (especially leatherjackets), earthworms, fruit, and seeds. Probes soil with open … |
| Tamanho da postura | 2-3 | 4-7 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Habitats partilhados
Arctic Tern only
Nenhum
Common Starling only
Nenhum
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.
Common Starling
Open countryside, farmland, parks, and urban areas. Forms enormous communal roosts in winter, especially in urban environments.
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.
Common Starling
A complex mimic: rattles, whistles, clicks, and squeaks mixed with imitations of other birds. Song is a continuous medley. Also gives harsh 'scheer' alarm and chattering.
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.
Common Starling
Native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Estado de conservação
Arctic Tern
Common Starling
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
Common Starling
Glossy black plumage with iridescent purple and green sheen in breeding season. Winter plumage shows white spotting. Short tail and pointed wings in flight.
Long, pointed bill — yellow in breeding season, dark in winter
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.
Common Starling
Estorninho-malhado (Sturnus vulgaris) — 19-22 cm. Distribuído pela Europa e Ásia, introduzido na América do Norte, Austrália e África do Sul. Plumagem negra com reflexo metálico verde e roxo, com pontas brancas no inverno. Voo em bandos enormes (murmuração) é espetáculo notável. Excelente imitador. Omnívoro adaptável a ambientes urbanos e agrícolas.