Heermann's Gull vs Indian Skimmer
Larus heermanni compared with Rynchops albicollis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Heermann's Gull | Indian Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus heermanni | Rynchops albicollis |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Endangered |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 67.2 cm (26.5 in) | 74.4 cm (29.3 in) |
| Weight | 448.26666666666665 g (15.81 oz) | 164.0 g (5.78 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 2-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Near Threatened
Heermann's Gull
Endangered
Indian Skimmer
About These Birds
Heermann's Gull
Heermann's Gull, 46–51 cm, is distinctive — dark grey body, white head (breeding), red bill. Breeds almost entirely on Isla Rasa in the Gulf of California, then disperses north along the Pacific coast to British Columbia. Kleptoparasite; steals fish from Brown Pelicans. Near Threatened; range highly restricted.
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.