Aleutian Tern vs Short-tailed Albatross

In short

The Aleutian Tern and the Short-tailed Albatross are vastly different in appearance and size, making them easy to distinguish. The Aleutian Tern is a small, agile seabird with a slender build, while the Short-tailed Albatross is a large, robust bird with a massive wingspan. Key differences include size, plumage, and habitat preferences.

Identification tips

• Size: Note the significant size difference; the albatross is much larger.
• Plumage: Look for the Aleutian Tern's white forehead and black cap versus the albatross's golden head.
• Habitat: Consider the location; terns are coastal, while albatrosses are oceanic.
• Flight Style: Observe flight patterns; terns hover and dive, albatrosses glide.

Size

The Aleutian Tern is small and slender, similar in size to other terns, whereas the Short-tailed Albatross is much larger, with a wingspan that can exceed 2 meters.

Plumage

Aleutian Terns have a distinctive white forehead and a black cap, with grey upperparts and white underparts. The Short-tailed Albatross has a predominantly white body with a golden wash on the head and neck, and dark wings.

Behaviour

Aleutian Terns are agile fliers often seen hovering and diving for fish. Short-tailed Albatrosses are strong, gliding fliers that cover vast oceanic distances.

Habitat

Aleutian Terns breed in coastal regions and islands, often near Arctic Terns. Short-tailed Albatrosses are pelagic, found primarily over open ocean and breeding on remote islands.

Voice

Aleutian Terns have typical tern calls, which are sharp and high-pitched. The vocalizations of the Short-tailed Albatross are less frequently heard, consisting of guttural croaks and whistles.