Mediterranean Gull vs Indian Skimmer
Larus melanocephalus compared with Rynchops albicollis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Mediterranean Gull | Indian Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus melanocephalus | Rynchops albicollis |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Endangered |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 60.5 cm (23.8 in) | 74.4 cm (29.3 in) |
| Weight | 282.5 g (9.96 oz) | 164.0 g (5.78 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-5 | 2-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Mediterranean Gull
Endangered
Indian Skimmer
About These Birds
Mediterranean Gull
Mediterranean Gull, 36–38 cm, has expanded dramatically since the 1970s, breeding across Europe from the Black Sea to Britain. Pure white body, jet-black hood in breeding plumage — the only gull with entirely white wingtips. Piscivore and invertivore; nests in colonies, often with Black-headed Gulls.
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.