Western Gull vs African Skimmer
Larus occidentalis compared with Rynchops flavirostris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Western Gull | African Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus occidentalis | Rynchops flavirostris |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 79.5 cm (31.3 in) | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) |
| Weight | 957.5 g (33.77 oz) | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-5 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Western Gull
Least Concern
African Skimmer
About These Birds
Western Gull
Western Gull, 55–68 cm, is the dominant large gull on the US Pacific coast from Washington to Baja California. Dark-mantled with pink legs, yellow bill with red spot. Omnivore; breeds on offshore islands, scavenges at harbours and landfills. Non-migratory; resident along its breeding coast.
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.