African Skimmer vs Common Tern
Rynchops flavirostris compared with Sterna hirundo
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Skimmer | Common Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rynchops flavirostris | Sterna hirundo |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) | 50.7 cm (20.0 in) |
| Weight | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) | 125.75 g (4.44 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-5 | 2-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
African Skimmer
Least Concern
Common 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.
Common Tern
Common Tern, 31–35 cm, wingspan 77–98 cm, is among the most widespread seabirds, breeding across the Holarctic and wintering in the Southern Hemisphere. Grey back, white below, orange-red bill with dark tip, black cap. Plunge-dives for fish. One of the longest-distance migrants in the Northern Hemisphere.