CreatureData

River tern vs White-fronted tern

The river tern is heavier: 209 g against 129 g for the white-fronted tern, about 62% more.

River tern (Sterna aurantia)
River tern VUVulnerable
Photo: Charles J. Sharp · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
White-fronted tern (Sterna striata)
White-fronted tern NTNear Threatened
Photo: Lynda from New Zealand · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

What is the difference between a river tern and a white-fronted tern?

Each point below is worked out from a pair of recorded values.

  • The river tern is heavier: 209 g against 129 g for the white-fronted tern, about 62% more.
  • Both belong to the genus Sterna, so they are close relatives.
  • The river tern is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List; the white-fronted tern is Near Threatened.

Side by side

River ternWhite-fronted tern
Scientific nameSterna aurantiaSterna striata
FamilyLaridaeLaridae
OrderCharadriiformesCharadriiformes
Weight209 g125.8 g – 131.9 g
LengthNot recordedNot recorded
LifespanNot recordedNot recorded
Main foodNot recordedNot recorded
Habitatriverinecoastal
Conservation statusVulnerableNear Threatened
Countries recordedNot recorded1

A scale drawing needs a recorded length for both animals; only weights are on record for this pair.

Full record: River ternFull record: White-fronted ternCompare other animals