African Skimmer vs Roseate Tern
Rynchops flavirostris compared with Sterna dougallii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Skimmer | Roseate Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rynchops flavirostris | Sterna dougallii |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) | 44.8 cm (17.6 in) |
| Weight | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) | 114.33333333333333 g (4.03 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-5 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
African Skimmer
Least Concern
Roseate 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.
Roseate Tern
Roseate Tern, 33–36 cm, is a globally distributed but declining species, breeding on both sides of the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and Pacific. Nearly white with a rosy flush to breast in spring, very long tail streamers, and mostly black bill. Plunge-dives for small fish. Endangered in parts of range.