Caspian Gull vs African Skimmer
Larus cachinnans compared with Rynchops flavirostris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Caspian Gull | African Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus cachinnans | Rynchops flavirostris |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 85.4 cm (33.6 in) | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) |
| Weight | 1090.0 g (38.45 oz) | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-4 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Caspian Gull
Least Concern
African Skimmer
About These Birds
Caspian Gull
Caspian Gull, 56–68 cm, breeds around the Black Sea and Caspian Sea, wintering to the Middle East and East Africa. Long parallel-sided bill, rounded head, pale eye with yellowish orbital ring, pinkish legs. Omnivore; scavenges at landfills and forages in agricultural fields. Partially 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.