Slaty-backed Gull vs African Skimmer
Larus schistisagus compared with Rynchops flavirostris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Slaty-backed Gull | African Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus schistisagus | Rynchops flavirostris |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 87.0 cm (34.3 in) | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) |
| Weight | 1280.5 g (45.17 oz) | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-4 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Slaty-backed Gull
Least Concern
African Skimmer
About These Birds
Slaty-backed Gull
Slaty-backed Gull, 55–68 cm, breeds on coasts and cliffs of the Russian Far East, wintering south to Japan and occasionally the US Pacific coast. Dark slate-grey mantle, pink legs, 'string of pearls' white mirrors on outer wing. Omnivore; scavenges at fishing ports in East Asian harbours.
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.