Lesser Black-backed Gull vs African Skimmer
Larus fuscus compared with Rynchops flavirostris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Lesser Black-backed Gull | African Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus fuscus | Rynchops flavirostris |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 82.4 cm (32.4 in) | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) |
| Weight | 841.3333333333334 g (29.68 oz) | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Lesser Black-backed Gull only
African Skimmer only
None
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Least Concern
African Skimmer
About These Birds
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull, 48–56 cm, breeds across Northern Europe and Iceland, undertaking one of the longest migrations of any large gull — to winter quarters in East Africa, India, and the Gulf. Slate-black mantle, yellow legs, yellow bill with red spot. Omnivore; increasingly winters in North America.
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.