Long-Tailed Skua Vs Little Tern: Key Differences Explained
The skies and shores of the United Kingdom are home to a diverse array of seabirds, each with its unique characteristics and behaviours. Among these fascinating creatures are the Long-Tailed Skua (Stercorarius longicaudus) and the Little Tern (Sternula albifrons), two species that, despite their shared coastal habitats, exhibit remarkable differences in appearance, behaviour, and lifestyle.
Did you know that the Long-Tailed Skua’s tail can make up almost half of its total body length? Or that the Little Tern, despite being the UK’s smallest tern species, performs breathtaking aerial courtship displays?
In this article, we’ll have a closer look into these remarkable seabirds, exploring their unique features, habitats, and behaviours!
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Long-Tailed Skuas are significantly larger than Little Terns, with a length of 41 – 46 cm compared to the Little Tern’s 22 – 24 cm.
- Long-Tailed Skuas are passage migrants in the UK, while Little Terns are summer visitors.
- Little Terns have a distinctive yellow bill with a black tip, while Long-Tailed Skuas have a dark-coloured bill.
- Long-Tailed Skuas have a more varied diet, including small mammals and fish, while Little Terns primarily feed on fish.
- Little Terns prefer coastal areas for breeding, while Long-Tailed Skuas breed in the high Arctic.
- Long-Tailed Skuas have exceptional tail streamers, which can be up to 30 cm long.
- Both species perform unique aerial displays, with Little Terns known for their spectacular courtship flights.
What Is The Difference Between A Long-Tailed Skua And A Little Tern?
While both the Long-Tailed Skua and the Little Tern are seabirds found in the UK, they differ significantly in size, appearance, habitat preferences, and behaviour. Let’s explore these differences in detail.
Visual Differences
The Long-Tailed Skua and the Little Tern have strikingly different appearances.
Long-Tailed Skuas are the smallest of the skua family but are still significantly larger than Little Terns. They have a slim build with long, pointed wings and, most notably, exceptionally long tail streamers that can measure up to 30 cm in length.
Their plumage is characterised by a graceful, greyish upper body contrasted with a dusky lower side and a palish breast. They also sport a distinctive dark-coloured cap and bill.
In contrast, Little Terns are charming, petite seabirds with a short tail and rapid flight pattern. Their most striking feature is their bright yellow bill with a black tip, which stands out against their white plumage.
They have a black cap, similar to the Long-Tailed Skua, but it’s more pronounced against their otherwise white head.
Differences In Habitat
The habitat preferences of these two species are quite different. Long-Tailed Skuas are passage migrants to the UK, meaning they’re only seen during their migration periods. They breed in the high Arctic and spend their winters off the coasts of West Africa and South America.
In the UK, they can be spotted during their migration in May, June, August, September, and October.
Little Terns, on the other hand, are summer visitors to the UK. They prefer coastal areas for breeding, particularly gravelly beaches. These birds arrive in the UK in April and stay until September before migrating to Africa for the winter.
During their time in the UK, they can be found along coastlines, estuaries, and occasionally inland water bodies.
Nests & Eggs
The nesting habits of Long-Tailed Skuas and Little Terns differ significantly due to their distinct breeding locations.
Long-Tailed Skuas breed in the high Arctic tundra, where they create simple scrapes on the ground for their nests. They typically lay 1 to 2 eggs, which are olive-green with dark spots.
Little Terns, breeding along the UK coast, prefer gravelly beaches for nesting. They create shallow scrapes in the sand or shingle, often lined with shells or small pebbles. Little Terns usually lay 2 to 3 eggs, which are camouflaged to blend with the surrounding stones, typically being pale brown or stone-coloured with dark speckles.
Bird Calls
The vocalisations of these two species are quite distinct. Adult Long-Tailed Skuas have a unique call that is often heard as they fly over their breeding territories. It’s described as a series of sharp, yelping notes, sometimes likened to a dog’s bark.
Little Terns, in contrast, are known for their loud and distinctive creaking noise. This sound is particularly noticeable in their breeding colonies, where it adds a special touch to coastal soundscapes. During their spectacular courtship displays, male Little Terns become especially vocal.
Size & Weight
The size difference between Long-Tailed Skuas and Little Terns is one of their most noticeable distinctions. Long-Tailed Skuas are considerably larger, measuring 41 to 46 cm in length with a wingspan of 105 to 117 cm. They weigh between 240 to 350g.
Little Terns, true to their name, are much smaller. They measure just 22 to 24 cm in length with a wingspan of 48 to 55 cm. Their weight ranges from 49-63g, making them less than a quarter of the weight of a Long-Tailed Skua.
SEE ALSO: Long-Tailed Skua Life Cycle: Nest Building To Fledging (and everything in between)
Frequently Asked Questions
Long-Tailed Skuas have a varied diet that includes small mammals when on land, and small fish, offal, and carrion when at sea. In contrast, Little Terns primarily feed on small fish, which they catch through impressive dive-bombing techniques.
The best time to see Long-Tailed Skuas in the UK is during their migration periods, typically in May-June and August-October. Little Terns can be seen from April to September when they visit the UK for breeding.
While these birds are quite different, they do share some similarities in their impressive flying abilities. Both species are known for their agile flight and are capable of hovering. Long-Tailed Skuas can hover like helicopters over their breeding territories, while Little Terns hover above water before diving to catch fish.
