Great Black-backed Gull vs African Skimmer
Larus marinus compared with Rynchops flavirostris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Black-backed Gull | African Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus marinus | Rynchops flavirostris |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 95.6 cm (37.6 in) | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) |
| Weight | 1678.3333333333333 g (59.20 oz) | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-3 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Great Black-backed Gull only
African Skimmer only
None
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Great Black-backed Gull
Least Concern
African Skimmer
About These Birds
Great Black-backed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull, 61–74 cm, wingspan 142–168 cm, is the world's largest gull, breeding along North Atlantic coasts. Jet-black mantle, white body, massive yellow bill. Dominant predator among seabirds; preys on seabird chicks, puffins, rabbits, as well as scavenging. Partially migratory.
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.