Arctic Tern vs Northern Cardinal

Sterna paradisaea ile kıyaslandığında Cardinalis cardinalis

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Özellik Arctic Tern Northern Cardinal
Bilimsel Ad Sterna paradisaea Cardinalis cardinalis
Takım Charadriiformes Passeriformes
Familya Laridae Cardinalidae
Koruma Durumu Least Concern Least Concern
Uzunluk 34,0 cm (13.4 in) 22,0 cm (8.7 in)
Kanat Açıklığı 80,0 cm (31.5 in) 30,0 cm (11.8 in)
Ağırlık 110,0 g (3.88 oz) 44,0 g (1.55 oz)
Beslenme Small fish and crustaceans caught by plunge-diving from the air. Hovers briefly before diving. Seeds, grains, fruits, and insects. Especially fond of sunflower seeds at bird feeders. Feeds mainly …
Kuluçka Büyüklüğü 2-3 1-5
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
Arctic Tern 34,0 cm
Northern Cardinal 22,0 cm
Kanat Açıklığı
Arctic Tern 80,0 cm
Northern Cardinal 30,0 cm
Ağırlık
Arctic Tern 110,0 g
Northern Cardinal 44,0 g
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Habitat Comparison

Ortak Yaşam Alanları

Hiçbiri

Arctic Tern only

Northern Cardinal 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.

Northern Cardinal

Woodland edges, thickets, gardens, and suburban areas. Prefers dense shrubby habitats for nesting.

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Song & Call Comparison

Arctic Tern

Şarkı

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.

Northern Cardinal

Şarkı

Loud, clear whistled phrases: 'cheer-cheer-cheer' and 'birdy-birdy-birdy'. Both male and female sing; female song is softer. Alarm is a sharp metallic 'chink'.

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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.

Northern Cardinal

Eastern and central North America from southern Canada to Mexico and Guatemala. Expanding range northward.

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Koruma Durumu

Least Concern

Arctic Tern

Least Concern

Northern Cardinal

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How to Tell Them Apart

Arctic Tern

Tuy

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.

Gaga

Slender, pointed, bright red bill

Northern Cardinal

Tuy

Males are brilliant crimson red overall with a black face mask. Females are warm buffy brown with reddish tinges on wings, crest, and tail.

Gaga

Thick, conical, bright orange-red bill

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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.

Northern Cardinal

The northern cardinal is the state bird of seven US states, more than any other species. Unlike many songbirds, both males and females sing, often in duets. Cardinals do not migrate and their brilliant red plumage against winter snow makes them a favorite among backyard birdwatchers.

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Related Comparisons

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