Atlantic White Tern vs Black Skimmer
Gygis alba compared with Rynchops niger
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Atlantic White Tern | Black Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gygis alba | Rynchops niger |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 50.4 cm (19.8 in) | 73.1 cm (28.8 in) |
| Weight | 138.0 g (4.87 oz) | 293.6666666666667 g (10.36 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1-6 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Atlantic White Tern
Least Concern
Black 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.
Black Skimmer
Black Skimmer: 40–50 cm, the largest skimmer with jet black upperparts, white underparts, and an outsized red-and-black bill with protruding lower mandible. Inhabits large rivers, estuaries, and coastal lagoons of North and South America. Feeds at dawn and dusk by skimming water surface. Nests colonially on sandy beaches. Partly migratory.