Sabine's Gull vs Saunders's Gull

Sabine's Gull and Saunders's Gull can be distinguished primarily by their bill and tail features. Sabine's Gull has a distinctive black bill with a yellow tip and a notched tail, while Saunders's Gull lacks these features. Both species belong to the same family but differ in behavior and habitat preferences.

1. Bill: Look for the black bill with a yellow tip on Sabine's Gull. 2. Tail: Check for the notched tail in Sabine's Gull. 3. Plumage: Note the black hood in Sabine's Gull during breeding season. 4. Behavior: Observe feeding methods; Sabine's Gull may feed on mudflats like shorebirds. 5. Habitat: Consider the location; Sabine's Gull is more likely in open ocean contexts, while Saunders's Gull prefers coastal areas.

Both species are small gulls, but Sabine's Gull is slightly more delicate in appearance.

Sabine's Gull features a striking black hood in breeding plumage and a notched tail. Saunders's Gull has a more uniform plumage without the distinctive hood or tail notch.

Sabine's Gull exhibits behaviors similar to shorebirds and terns, such as distraction displays and feeding on mudflats. Saunders's Gull's behavior is less documented but generally aligns with typical gull behavior.

Sabine's Gull is often found in Arctic breeding grounds and migrates over open oceans. Saunders's Gull is more coastal, often found in estuaries and mudflats.

Sabine's Gull has calls more similar to terns, but specific vocalization details for Saunders's Gull are less documented.