African Skimmer
Rynchops flavirostris
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<birdfyi-bird slug="rynchops-flavirostris"></birdfyi-bird>The African Skimmer (Rynchops flavirostris) is a bird species in the family Laridae (gulls & terns), within the order Charadriiformes (shorebirds & gulls). Recorded measurements include a wingspan of 66.4 cm and a weight of 165.7 g. The IUCN Red List classifies it as Least Concern.
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About
African Skimmer: 36–42 cm, black-and-white skimmer with a long bright orange-yellow bill where the lower mandible is longer than the upper. Flies low over large rivers and lakes, cutting the water surface with the lower bill to catch fish. Resident and partial migrant along large rivers and lakes of sub-Saharan Africa. NT.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 66.4 cm | 26.1 in |
| Weight | 165.66666666666666 g | 5.84 oz |
Habitat & Range
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: SC. Incubation: 21 days. Fledging: 28 days.
Clutch Size
1-5
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes (Shorebirds & Gulls) |
| Family | Laridae (Gulls & Terns) |
| Genus | Rynchops |
| Species | Rynchops flavirostris |
Distribution
African Skimmer has been recorded in 1 countries.
countries highlighted
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the African Skimmer endangered?
How does the African Skimmer nest?
How big is the African Skimmer?
What order and family does the African Skimmer belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Laridae family