Whiskered Tern vs African Skimmer
Chlidonias hybrida compared with Rynchops flavirostris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Whiskered Tern | African Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chlidonias hybrida | Rynchops flavirostris |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 46.4 cm (18.3 in) | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) |
| Weight | 84.5 g (2.98 oz) | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Whiskered Tern
Least Concern
African Skimmer
About These Birds
Whiskered Tern
Whiskered Tern, 23–25 cm, is a marsh tern breeding from Europe and Africa to Asia and Australia. Breeding plumage: dark grey below, black cap, red bill. Forages over freshwater marshes, dipping for insects and small fish. Short-distance migrant; winters in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
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.