Grey-headed Gull vs African Skimmer
Larus cirrocephalus compared with Rynchops flavirostris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Grey-headed Gull | African Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus cirrocephalus | Rynchops flavirostris |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 63.8 cm (25.1 in) | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) |
| Weight | 357.5 g (12.61 oz) | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Grey-headed Gull
Least Concern
African Skimmer
About These Birds
Grey-headed Gull
Grey-headed Gull, 39–42 cm, breeds across sub-Saharan Africa and coastal South America. Pale grey hood in breeding plumage, red-orange bill and legs. Omnivore and piscivore; frequents large lakes, rivers, and coasts. Partially migratory, dispersing broadly outside breeding season.
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.