Andean Gull vs African Skimmer
Larus serranus compared with Rynchops flavirostris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Andean Gull | African Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus serranus | Rynchops flavirostris |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 70.6 cm (27.8 in) | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) |
| Weight | 478.0 g (16.86 oz) | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-4 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Andean Gull
Least Concern
African 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.
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.