What is the difference between a seagull and a tern?

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!