African Skimmer vs Elegant Tern
Rynchops flavirostris compared with Thalasseus elegans
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Skimmer | Elegant Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rynchops flavirostris | Thalasseus elegans |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) | 59.3 cm (23.3 in) |
| Weight | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) | 236.16666666666666 g (8.33 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-5 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
African Skimmer
Near Threatened
Elegant 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.
Elegant Tern
Elegant Tern, 39–43 cm, breeds in a few large colonies on islands off Baja California and winters along Pacific coasts of South America. Long, drooping orange bill, shaggy black crest. Piscivore; dependent on Northern Anchovy and Pacific Sardine. Near Threatened; highly colonial breeder.