African Skimmer vs Forster's Tern
Rynchops flavirostris compared with Sterna forsteri
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Skimmer | Forster's Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rynchops flavirostris | Sterna forsteri |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) | 50.5 cm (19.9 in) |
| Weight | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) | 151.25 g (5.34 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-5 | 2-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
African Skimmer
Least Concern
Forster's 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.
Forster's Tern
Forster's Tern, 33–36 cm, breeds in interior North American marshes and winters along both US coasts and into Mexico. Distinctive frosted silver upperparts and orange-based bill. In non-breeding plumage, shows a black eye-mask. Piscivore; hovers and plunge-dives in coastal bays and lagoons.