Inca Tern vs African Skimmer
Larosterna inca compared with Rynchops flavirostris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Inca Tern | African Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larosterna inca | Rynchops flavirostris |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 55.4 cm (21.8 in) | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) |
| Weight | 199.5 g (7.04 oz) | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Near Threatened
Inca Tern
Least Concern
African Skimmer
About These Birds
Inca Tern
Inca Tern, 39–42 cm, is unmistakable — dark slate grey with white facial plumes curling from the bill like a Victorian moustache. Restricted to the Humboldt Current from Peru to Chile. Piscivore; snatches anchovies and other prey at the surface. Near Threatened; population tied to anchovy availability.
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.