Atlantic White Tern vs African Skimmer
Gygis alba compared with Rynchops flavirostris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Atlantic White Tern | African Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gygis alba | Rynchops flavirostris |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 50.4 cm (19.8 in) | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) |
| Weight | 138.0 g (4.87 oz) | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Atlantic White Tern
Least Concern
African Skimmer
About These Birds
Atlantic White Tern
Atlantic White Tern: 28–33 cm, wingspan 76–87 cm, ethereally white seabird with blue-grey bill, blue orbital ring, and large dark eyes. Breeds on tropical Atlantic islands including Ascension and Saint Helena; related species widespread across the Indo-Pacific. Nests on bare branches with no nest material. Feeds on small fish near the surface.
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.