Lava Gull vs African Skimmer
Larus fuliginosus compared with Rynchops flavirostris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Lava Gull | African Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus fuliginosus | Rynchops flavirostris |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 68.2 cm (26.9 in) | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) |
| Weight | 380.0 g (13.40 oz) | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Vulnerable
Lava Gull
Least Concern
African Skimmer
About These Birds
Lava Gull
Lava Gull, 52–55 cm, is the world's rarest gull — only ~800–1,000 individuals exist, all on the Galápagos Islands. Sooty grey overall, white eyelids, red bill and feet. Scavenges at fishing ports and seal colonies; omnivore. Restricted range makes it highly vulnerable to any environmental change.
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.