African Skimmer vs Black Skimmer
Rynchops flavirostris compared with Rynchops niger
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Skimmer | Black Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rynchops flavirostris | Rynchops niger |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) | 73.1 cm (28.8 in) |
| Weight | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) | 293.6666666666667 g (10.36 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-5 | 1-6 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
African Skimmer
Least Concern
Black Skimmer
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 Skimmer
Black Skimmer: 40–50 cm, the largest skimmer with jet black upperparts, white underparts, and an outsized red-and-black bill with protruding lower mandible. Inhabits large rivers, estuaries, and coastal lagoons of North and South America. Feeds at dawn and dusk by skimming water surface. Nests colonially on sandy beaches. Partly migratory.