Bonaparte's Gull vs African Skimmer
Larus philadelphia compared with Rynchops flavirostris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Bonaparte's Gull | African Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus philadelphia | Rynchops flavirostris |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 51.9 cm (20.4 in) | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) |
| Weight | 204.575 g (7.22 oz) | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-3 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Bonaparte's Gull
Least Concern
African Skimmer
About These Birds
Bonaparte's Gull
Bonaparte's Gull, 28–30 cm, is North America's smallest Larus gull, breeding in boreal forests near lakes and wintering on both coasts. Breeding adult has a black hood; underwing shows white triangular flash. Planktivore and piscivore; buoyant, tern-like flight. Migratory; forms large winter flocks.
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.