Gulls, informally also known as seagulls, belong to the family
Laridae, while terns belong to the family Sternidae. They both
belong to the suborder Lari, which is part of the order
Charadriiformes. Therefore they are related, but not the same.
Terns tend to be smaller and they have shorter legs. Terns have
long pointed wings, while the wings of the gulls are usually
broader and rounder. The same goes for the beaks. The beaks of the
terns are straight and sharp, while the beaks of the gulls are
hooked. Terns dive into the water to catch a fish, while gulls
float above the water. Terns usually avoid people, while gulls can
be often seen in cities. Terns prefer to stick to their fish diet,
while gulls will eat almost anything from fish to bread, biscuits,
French fries and even garbage!