Aleutian Tern vs African Skimmer

Onychoprion aleuticus compared with Rynchops flavirostris

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Aleutian Tern African Skimmer
Scientific Name Onychoprion aleuticus Rynchops flavirostris
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Laridae Laridae
Conservation Status Vulnerable Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 52.4 cm (20.6 in) 66.4 cm (26.1 in)
Weight 104.88 g (3.70 oz) 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 1-4 1-5
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Aleutian Tern only

African Skimmer only

None

Conservation Status

Vulnerable

Aleutian Tern

Least Concern

African Skimmer

About These Birds

Aleutian Tern

Aleutian Tern, 32–34 cm, breeds colonially in Alaska and Russian Far East, wintering in Southeast Asian waters — one of the most poorly tracked migrations among seabirds. Dark grey above, white below, black cap with white forehead. Piscivore; dives for small fish. Near Threatened.

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.

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