Arctic Tern vs Mallard
Sterna paradisaea 对比 Anas platyrhynchos
Side-by-Side Comparison
| 属性 | Arctic Tern | Mallard |
|---|---|---|
| 学名 | Sterna paradisaea | Anas platyrhynchos |
| 目 | Charadriiformes | Anseriformes |
| 科 | Laridae | Anatidae |
| 保护状况 | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| 体长 | 34.0 cm (13.4 in) | 58.0 cm (22.8 in) |
| 翼展 | 80.0 cm (31.5 in) | 90.0 cm (35.4 in) |
| 体重 | 110.0 g (3.88 oz) | 1100.0 g (38.80 oz) |
| 食性 | Small fish and crustaceans caught by plunge-diving from the air. Hovers briefly before diving. | Omnivorous — aquatic plants, seeds, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Feeds by dabbling, upending, and grazing … |
| 产卵数 | 2-3 | 4-18 |
| 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.
Mallard
Nearly any wetland habitat including lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, estuaries, and urban park ponds.
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.
Mallard
Female gives the classic 'quack-quack-quack', descending in pitch. Male utters soft nasal 'raeb-raeb'. Both give a high 'gag-gag-gag' when alarmed or taking flight.
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.
Mallard
Native across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Introduced to Australia and New Zealand.
保护状况
Arctic Tern
Mallard
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
Mallard
Breeding males have an iridescent green head, white neck ring, chestnut breast, and grey body. Females are mottled brown. Both sexes show a blue speculum bordered by white.
Broad, flat bill — yellow-green in males, orange-brown in females
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。
Mallard
The mallard is the ancestor of most domestic duck breeds and the most abundant and widespread dabbling duck in the world. Males perform elaborate courtship displays including head-bobbing and whistle-grunt calls. Mallards are highly adaptable, thriving in both wilderness and urban environments.