Mediterranean Gull vs Black Skimmer
Larus melanocephalus compared with Rynchops niger
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Mediterranean Gull | Black Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus melanocephalus | Rynchops niger |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 60.5 cm (23.8 in) | 73.1 cm (28.8 in) |
| Weight | 282.5 g (9.96 oz) | 293.6666666666667 g (10.36 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-5 | 1-6 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Mediterranean Gull
Least Concern
Black 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.
Black Skimmer
Black Skimmer: 40–50 cm, the largest skimmer with jet black upperparts, white underparts, and an outsized red-and-black bill with protruding lower mandible. Inhabits large rivers, estuaries, and coastal lagoons of North and South America. Feeds at dawn and dusk by skimming water surface. Nests colonially on sandy beaches. Partly migratory.