Black-tailed Gull vs Indian Skimmer
Larus crassirostris compared with Rynchops albicollis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-tailed Gull | Indian Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus crassirostris | Rynchops albicollis |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Endangered |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 72.8 cm (28.7 in) | 74.4 cm (29.3 in) |
| Weight | 675.0 g (23.81 oz) | 164.0 g (5.78 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | 2-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Black-tailed Gull
Endangered
Indian Skimmer
About These Birds
Black-tailed Gull
Black-tailed Gull, 44–48 cm, is common on East Asian coasts from Russia to China, Japan, and Korea. Grey mantle, white body, yellow bill with red spot and black subterminal band, yellow legs. Omnivore; very vocal, known as the 'cat gull' for its mewing calls. Migratory; winters south to Vietnam.
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.