Bridled Tern vs African Skimmer
Onychoprion anaethetus compared with Rynchops flavirostris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Bridled Tern | African Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Onychoprion anaethetus | Rynchops flavirostris |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 54.7 cm (21.5 in) | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) |
| Weight | 129.13333333333333 g (4.56 oz) | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Bridled Tern
Least Concern
African Skimmer
About These Birds
Bridled Tern
Bridled Tern, 30–32 cm, breeds on tropical islands across the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic. Dark brownish-black above with a white forehead stripe extending behind the eye — the diagnostic 'bridle'. Pelagic outside breeding; piscivore, takes fish and squid at the surface.
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.