Brown-headed Gull vs Indian Skimmer
Larus brunnicephalus compared with Rynchops albicollis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Brown-headed Gull | Indian Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus brunnicephalus | Rynchops albicollis |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Endangered |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 66.8 cm (26.3 in) | 74.4 cm (29.3 in) |
| Weight | 584.0 g (20.60 oz) | 164.0 g (5.78 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-4 | 2-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Brown-headed Gull
Endangered
Indian Skimmer
About These Birds
Brown-headed Gull
Brown-headed Gull, 41–46 cm, breeds at high-altitude Tibetan lakes and Central Asian wetlands, wintering on coasts from India to Southeast Asia. Brown hood in breeding plumage; white wing mirrors. Piscivore and invertivore; follows fishing activity in coastal bays.
Indian Skimmer
Indian Skimmer: 38–43 cm, black-and-white skimmer with an orange-and-yellow bill and white collar. Resident on large sandy rivers of the Indian subcontinent. VU. Feeds by skimming river surface with protruding lower mandible to catch fish. Severely threatened by sand-mining, dam building, and human disturbance at nesting colonies.