Black-headed Gull vs African Skimmer
Larus ridibundus compared with Rynchops flavirostris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-headed Gull | African Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus ridibundus | Rynchops flavirostris |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 58.2 cm (22.9 in) | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) |
| Weight | 261.0 g (9.21 oz) | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-3 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Black-headed Gull
Least Concern
African Skimmer
About These Birds
Black-headed Gull
Black-headed Gull, 38–44 cm, is one of Europe's commonest gulls, breeding across the Palearctic on wetlands and coasts. Chocolate-brown (not black) hood in summer, lost in winter leaving dark ear-spot. Omnivore; follows ploughs, scavenges in cities, dips for invertebrates. 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.