No, terns and seagulls are two different types of seabirds. While they share some similarities, there are key differences between terns and seagulls.
What is a tern?
Terns are small-to-medium sized seabirds that belong to the family Laridae. There are around 50 different species of terns that are found worldwide. Some examples of tern species include the Arctic Tern, Common Tern, Roseate Tern, and Sooty Tern.
Terns are graceful flyers with long, pointed wings and forked tails. Their slender bills are adapted for catching fish and other prey. Most terns breed in colonies on beaches, marshes, or islands. They nest on the ground and lay clutches of 2-3 eggs.
Terns spend most of their lives at sea, only coming inland to breed. They migrate long distances to their wintering grounds. For example, the Arctic Tern migrates from its Arctic breeding grounds all the way to Antarctica every year.
What is a seagull?
Seagulls are larger, bulkier seabirds that belong to the genus Larus. There are around 20 species of seagulls worldwide, with the most common ones being the Herring Gull, Ring-billed Gull, and Laughing Gull.
Seagulls have thick necks, large heads, heavy bills, and long wings. Their size, colors, and patterning varies between species. Seagulls are omnivorous and opportunistic feeders. They will eat fish, insects, worms, scraps, and garbage.
Many gull species breed in large colonies on coasts and islands. They build nests on the ground, cliffs, or rooftops. Seagulls are known for being noisy and aggressive around their nesting colonies.
While some seagull species migrate, others remain in the same region year-round. Seagulls are a common sight in coastal towns, ports, beaches, and harbors.
Key Differences Between Terns and Seagulls
While terns and seagulls both inhabit sea coasts and waterways, there are several physical and behavioral differences between them:
Size and Build
Terns have slender, lightly-built bodies with long, pointed wings and forked tails. Seagulls have stockier bodies with broader wings and short, squared off tails.
Bill Shape
Terns have thin, pointed bills adapted for spearing fish. Seagulls have thicker, heavier bills more suited for scavenging and consuming a variety of foods.
Plumage
Most terns have pale plumage, often with a black cap on the head during breeding season. Seagulls have more varied plumage, often with mottled patterns of gray, black, and white.
Behavior
Terns dive from the air to catch live fish. Seagulls are more likely to scavenge dead fish and other food scraps. Terns tend to be graceful fliers, while seagulls lumber more heavily.
Migration
Many tern species migrate very long distances. Some seagulls migrate as well, but not generally over such extreme lengths.
Nesting
Terns nest in scrapes on the ground in densely packed colonies. Seagulls build more substantial nests that may be on the ground, cliffs, buildings, or other structures.
Comparison of Tern and Seagull Species
Here is a comparison of some common tern and seagull species:
Species | Size | Coloration | Range | Habitat |
---|---|---|---|---|
Common Tern | Length: 33-36 cm Wingspan: 76-80 cm |
Gray back, white underparts, black cap in summer | North America, Europe, Asia, Africa | Coastlines, wetlands, rivers, lakes |
Arctic Tern | Length: 33-39 cm Wingspan: 76-85 cm |
Gray back, white underparts, red bill, black cap in summer | Circumpolar Arctic regions | Coastal tundra |
Herring Gull | Length: 55-67 cm Wingspan: 125-155 cm |
Gray back, white underparts, yellow bill with red spot | North America, Europe, Asia | Coastlines, harbors, landfills |
Ring-billed Gull | Length: 38-46 cm Wingspan: 100-125 cm |
Gray back, white underparts, yellow bill with black ring | North America | Coastlines, lakes, rivers |
Tern Diet vs Seagull Diet
Terns and seagulls have adapted to eat different diets based on their habitats and feeding behaviors.
Tern Diet
Terns mainly eat small fish and marine invertebrates like shrimp, crabs, and squid. Here are some details on the tern diet:
- Feed primarily by plunge diving to catch live fish near the water’s surface
- May also dip down to take fish from just below the surface while flying
- Sometimes pick up other prey like crustaceans and insects while swimming
- Species that breed inland may catch insects more often
- Primarily swallow prey whole while in flight
Seagull Diet
Seagulls are omnivorous opportunistic feeders. Their diet consists of:
- Dead or live fish
- Marine invertebrates like mollusks, crustaceans, worms
- Insects
- Rodents and eggs stolen from nests
- Carrion from landfills, fishing harbors, and beaches
- Discarded human food and garbage
- Food scraps stolen from people on beaches and docks
While seagulls may occasionally catch live prey, they get much of their food by scavenging instead of hunting.
Tern vs Seagull Habitats
Terns and seagulls overlap in their coastal marine habitats but also have some key habitat differences:
Tern Habitats
- Open ocean coastlines
- Beaches, sandbars, barrier islands
- Marshes, mudflats, estuaries
- Lakes, rivers, and wetlands inland
- Nest in scrapes dug into sandy or gravelly substrates
Seagull Habitats
- Coastlines, harbors, bays
- Beaches, shorelines, docks
- Islands for nesting colonies
- Inland lakes, rivers, towns
- Landfills and garbage dumps
- Nest on cliffs, beaches, rooftops, or the ground
Seagulls are better adapted to thrive around human habitats and activities than terns, which prefer more natural environments.
Tern and Seagull Conservation
Some tern and seagull species are declining in numbers and at risk due to factors like habitat loss, human disturbance, and climate change. Here is the conservation status for some species:
Terns
- Least Tern: Listed as endangered in some US states
- Roseate Tern: Listed as threatened or endangered in some US states
- Common Tern: Population declining but still abundant overall
- Arctic Tern: Near threatened due to climate change impacts in the Arctic
Seagulls
- California Gull: Listed as near threatened globally
- Heermann’s Gull: Listed as near threatened globally
- Yellow-legged Gull: Population declining in parts of coastal Europe
- Herring Gull: Population increasing and adapting well to human habitats
Conservation efforts are aimed at protecting nesting habitats and managing human-gull conflicts in populated areas.
Interesting Facts About Terns and Seagulls
Here are some fascinating facts about these seabirds:
Tern Facts
- The Arctic Tern has the longest migration of any bird, flying over 80,000 km annually roundtrip from pole to pole.
- Terns hover and dive into the ocean to catch fish, hitting speeds of up to 60 mph.
- The Sooty Tern spends more time in the air than any other bird, only landing to nest and raise chicks.
- Some tern eggs are pointed on one end to avoid rolling out of the nest.
- Noddies are a type of tern named for their nodding courting displays.
Seagull Facts
- Seagulls can regurgitate hard pellets containing indigestible material like shell fragments and fish bones.
- Gulls can drink saltwater as they have special glands to excrete excess salt.
- The Laughing Gull got its name from its loud, laughing call.
- Seagulls are highly intelligent birds that use tools and recognize individual humans.
- Gull chicks communicate by peeping and bobbing up and down in unison.
Conclusion
While terns and seagulls share the habitats of coasts and waterways, they are quite different types of seabirds. Terns are graceful, streamlined hunters that plunge dive for fish. Seagulls are bulky, opportunistic birds that are likely to scavenge. Both play important roles in the food chains of marine ecosystems.
Understanding the similarities and differences between terns and seagulls helps appreciate the diversity of seabirds that inhabit beaches, oceans, and waterways around the world.