Arctic Tern vs European Bee-eater
Sterna paradisaea 对比 Merops apiaster
Side-by-Side Comparison
| 属性 | Arctic Tern | European Bee-eater |
|---|---|---|
| 学名 | Sterna paradisaea | Merops apiaster |
| 目 | Charadriiformes | Coraciiformes |
| 科 | Laridae | Meropidae |
| 保护状况 | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| 体长 | 34.0 cm (13.4 in) | 28.0 cm (11.0 in) |
| 翼展 | 80.0 cm (31.5 in) | 38.0 cm (15.0 in) |
| 体重 | 110.0 g (3.88 oz) | 56.0 g (1.98 oz) |
| 食性 | Small fish and crustaceans caught by plunge-diving from the air. Hovers briefly before diving. | Primarily bees, wasps, and hornets caught in flight. Removes stingers by beating prey against a … |
| 产卵数 | 2-3 | 4-10 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
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.
European Bee-eater
Open country with scattered trees, sandy banks, and river cliffs for nesting. Breeds in colonies in tunnels dug into earth banks.
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.
European Bee-eater
A liquid, melodic 'pruik-pruik' or rolling 'prruup-pruup' in flight. Flocks give a distinctive far-carrying bubbling call audible before birds are seen. Considered a pleasant sound.
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.
European Bee-eater
Southern Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. Winters in tropical Africa. A long-distance migrant.
保护状况
Arctic Tern
European Bee-eater
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
European Bee-eater
Richly colored with a chestnut-brown crown and back, golden-yellow scapulars, turquoise-blue underparts, and a black eye stripe. Central tail feathers are elongated.
Long, slender, slightly decurved black bill
About These Birds
Arctic Tern
北极燕鸥进行所有动物中最长的迁徙，每年从北极繁殖地飞往南极越冬地，往返距离超过70,000公里。体型纤细，翼展约80厘米，全身主要为白色，具黑色头冠和红色喙。无危；繁殖于北极和亚北极海岸及岛屿，全球种群约200万只。
European Bee-eater
拥有栗色、金色和绿松石色的彩虹色羽毛。能熟练地去除蜂刺。在长达2米的隧道形巢穴中繁殖。