African Skimmer vs Black-naped Tern
Rynchops flavirostris compared with Sterna sumatrana
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Skimmer | Black-naped Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rynchops flavirostris | Sterna sumatrana |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) | 43.1 cm (17.0 in) |
| Weight | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) | 103.75 g (3.66 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-5 | 1-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
African Skimmer
Least Concern
Black-naped 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.
Black-naped Tern
Black-naped Tern, 30–32 cm, breeds on tropical Indo-Pacific coral islands from the Maldives to Polynesia. White overall with a narrow black nape band connecting the black lores — a delicate, elegant pattern. Piscivore; surface-dips and shallow dives in clear tropical waters over reefs.