African Skimmer vs Black-bellied Tern
Rynchops flavirostris compared with Sterna acuticauda
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Skimmer | Black-bellied Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rynchops flavirostris | Sterna acuticauda |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Endangered |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) | 44.8 cm (17.6 in) |
| Weight | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) | 159.5 g (5.63 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-5 | 2-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
African Skimmer
Endangered
Black-bellied Tern
About These Birds
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.
Black-bellied Tern
Black-bellied Tern, 32–34 cm, is an Endangered freshwater tern of the Indian subcontinent, breeding on large river sandbars from Pakistan to Myanmar. Black belly contrasts with grey upperparts in breeding plumage; orange bill. Plunge-dives for small fish. Severely threatened by river modification.