Grey-backed Tern vs African Skimmer
Onychoprion lunatus compared with Rynchops flavirostris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Grey-backed Tern | African Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Onychoprion lunatus | Rynchops flavirostris |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 52.2 cm (20.6 in) | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) |
| Weight | 126.21666666666665 g (4.45 oz) | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Grey-backed Tern
Least Concern
African Skimmer
About These Birds
Grey-backed Tern
Grey-backed Tern, 35–37 cm, is a Pacific seabird breeding on islands from Hawaii to Micronesia and Polynesia. Pale grey back distinguishes it from the similar Bridled Tern; white below with black cap. Piscivore; surface-dips and shallow plunge-dives. Largely pelagic when not breeding.
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.