Andean Gull vs Indian Skimmer
Larus serranus compared with Rynchops albicollis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Andean Gull | Indian Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus serranus | Rynchops albicollis |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Endangered |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 70.6 cm (27.8 in) | 74.4 cm (29.3 in) |
| Weight | 478.0 g (16.86 oz) | 164.0 g (5.78 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-4 | 2-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Andean Gull
Endangered
Indian Skimmer
About These Birds
Andean Gull
Andean Gull, 45–48 cm, breeds at high-altitude Andean lakes from Colombia to Argentina, typically above 3000 m. Black hood in breeding plumage; white below with grey mantle. Largely insectivore, following cattle or foraging at lake edges. Partial altitudinal migrant descending to Pacific and Atlantic coasts in winter.
Indian Skimmer
Indian Skimmer: 38–43 cm, black-and-white skimmer with an orange-and-yellow bill and white collar. Resident on large sandy rivers of the Indian subcontinent. VU. Feeds by skimming river surface with protruding lower mandible to catch fish. Severely threatened by sand-mining, dam building, and human disturbance at nesting colonies.