Antarctic Tern vs Ivory Gull

Antarctic Tern

Sterna vittata

Medium139 gMarine

The Antarctic tern is a medium-sized tern ranging from 35 to 40 cm (14 to 16 in) in length with a wingspan of 74 to 79 cm (29 to 31 in). It weighs between 150 and 180 g (5.3 and 6.3 oz) but it tends to be heavier during the winter months. In breeding plumage, the tern has light grey body and wings. Its deeply forked tail, lower back just above it and cheeks are white. It also has a distinctive black cap that reaches from the nape down to the bill and the eye is brownish-black. The bill, legs and feet are bright red.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Ingvild Riska · CC BY 4.0

Ivory Gull

Pagophila eburnea

Large550 gMarine

The ivory gull is 40–43 cm (16–17 in) long, with a wingspan of 108–120 cm (43–47 in); males weigh between 500–687 g (17.6–24.2 oz) and females between 448–583 g (15.8–20.6 oz). This species is easy to identify. It has a different, more pigeon-like shape compared to the Larus gulls, an impression reinforced by its short legs. The adult has completely pure white plumage, lacking the grey back of other gulls. The thick bill is blue with a yellow tip (occasionally with a reddish tip), and the legs are black. The eyes are dark, with a narrow dark red orbital ring.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: jomilo75 · CC BY 2.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Antarctic Tern and Ivory Gull.