Common Gull vs African Skimmer
Larus canus compared with Rynchops flavirostris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Common Gull | African Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus canus | Rynchops flavirostris |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 70.2 cm (27.6 in) | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) |
| Weight | 431.3333333333333 g (15.21 oz) | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 3-5 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Common Gull
Least Concern
African Skimmer
About These Birds
Common Gull
Common Gull, 40–46 cm, is a medium-sized gull breeding across boreal Europe and Asia, wintering on Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Smaller and more dove-like than Herring Gull; yellow-green bill without red spot. Omnivore; follows ploughs, forages on shorelines and playing 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.