Head to head
South American Tern vs Antarctic Tern
Both are Southern Hemisphere terns that closely resemble the globe-spanning Arctic tern, but stay resident rather than migrating between poles.
| South American Tern | Antarctic Tern | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Sterna hirundinacea | Sterna vittata |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Range | Southern South America, Falkland Islands | Circumpolar around the Southern Ocean |
| Breeding distribution | Coastal colonies on cliffs, islands, beaches | Circumpolar, including the Antarctic Peninsula |
| Nest defence | Not specifically notable | Aggressively defends nest against larger intruders |
| Migration | Resident within the Southern Hemisphere | Resident within the Southern Hemisphere |
| Diet | Small fish near the surface | Small fish and crustaceans |
| Habitat | Ocean, coastal | Ocean, polar, coastal |
South American Tern vs Antarctic Tern: common questions
Do both of these terns migrate like the Arctic tern?
No, neither does. Both the South American tern and the Antarctic tern remain within the Southern Hemisphere year-round, unlike their close relative the Arctic tern, which migrates between the poles.
Which tern has the wider breeding range?
The Antarctic tern does, breeding in a circumpolar pattern around the entire Southern Ocean including the Antarctic Peninsula, while the South American tern is limited to southern South America and the Falkland Islands.
Which tern is more aggressive toward intruders?
The Antarctic tern is documented as an especially aggressive nest defender, using diving attacks against much larger birds, a trait not specifically highlighted in the South American tern.