Lesser Noddy vs African Skimmer
Anous tenuirostris compared with Rynchops flavirostris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Lesser Noddy | African Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anous tenuirostris | Rynchops flavirostris |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 42.4 cm (16.7 in) | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) |
| Weight | 106.35 g (3.75 oz) | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Lesser Noddy
Least Concern
African Skimmer
About These Birds
Lesser Noddy
Lesser Noddy: 30–34 cm, smaller and darker than Brown Noddy with a whiter cap sharply demarcated from the dark body and a slender bill. Breeds colonially in mangroves and low bushes on islands of the tropical Indian Ocean and western Pacific. Feeds on small fish and invertebrates by dipping to sea surface. Wingspan 58–63 cm. Partly migratory.
African Skimmer
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.