Black-tailed Gull vs African Skimmer
Larus crassirostris compared with Rynchops flavirostris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-tailed Gull | African Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus crassirostris | Rynchops flavirostris |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 72.8 cm (28.7 in) | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) |
| Weight | 675.0 g (23.81 oz) | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Black-tailed Gull
Least Concern
African 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.
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.