Short-billed Gull vs African Skimmer
Larus brachyrhynchus compared with Rynchops flavirostris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Short-billed Gull | African Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus brachyrhynchus | Rynchops flavirostris |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) |
| Weight | 395.0 g (13.93 oz) | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-5 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Not Evaluated
Short-billed Gull
Least Concern
African Skimmer
About These Birds
Short-billed Gull
Short-billed Gull, 40–45 cm, breeds in interior Alaska and western Canada, wintering on the Pacific coast. Recently split from Common Gull; slightly smaller with a shorter bill and more rounded head. Omnivore; often inland on grasslands and agricultural fields during migration. Migratory.
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.