Australian Gull-billed Tern vs African Skimmer
Gelochelidon macrotarsa compared with Rynchops flavirostris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Australian Gull-billed Tern | African Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gelochelidon macrotarsa | Rynchops flavirostris |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 61.1 cm (24.1 in) | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) |
| Weight | 246.66666666666666 g (8.70 oz) | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Australian Gull-billed Tern only
None
African Skimmer only
None
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Australian Gull-billed Tern
Least Concern
African Skimmer
About These Birds
Australian Gull-billed Tern
Australian Gull-billed Tern, 38–42 cm, is a large, heavy-billed tern endemic to Australia, breeding in arid inland wetlands. Pale grey above, white below, with a robust black bill. Takes insects, small reptiles, and crabs rather than diving for fish. Nomadic in response to inland rainfall.
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.