African Skimmer vs White-cheeked Tern
Rynchops flavirostris compared with Sterna repressa
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Skimmer | White-cheeked Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rynchops flavirostris | Sterna repressa |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) | 48.3 cm (19.0 in) |
| Weight | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) | 118.75 g (4.19 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-5 | 1-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
African Skimmer
Least Concern
White-cheeked 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.
White-cheeked Tern
White-cheeked Tern, 32–34 cm, breeds around the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Indian Ocean coasts from East Africa to Pakistan. Grey above and below in breeding plumage, white cheek patch below the black cap. Piscivore; plunge-dives in coastal waters. Some movement to winter quarters in East African coasts.