African Skimmer vs Antarctic Tern
Rynchops flavirostris compared with Sterna vittata
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Skimmer | Antarctic Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rynchops flavirostris | Sterna vittata |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) | 52.0 cm (20.5 in) |
| Weight | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) | 151.0 g (5.33 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-5 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
African Skimmer
Least Concern
Antarctic 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.
Antarctic Tern
Antarctic Tern, 31–38 cm, breeds on sub-Antarctic islands and Antarctic Peninsula, dispersing across the Southern Ocean in austral winter. Grey above, white below, with red bill and feet. Unlike Arctic Tern, does not undertake pole-to-pole migration; remains in high southern latitudes year-round.