African Skimmer vs Fairy Tern
Rynchops flavirostris compared with Sternula nereis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Skimmer | Fairy Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rynchops flavirostris | Sternula nereis |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) | 35.6 cm (14.0 in) |
| Weight | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) | 68.5 g (2.42 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-5 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
African Skimmer
Vulnerable
Fairy 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.
Fairy Tern
Fairy Tern, 22–25 cm, breeds in southern Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia on sandy beaches. White and pale grey with an orange-yellow bill; delicate and buoyant in flight. Piscivore; hovers and plunge-dives in shallow coastal and estuarine waters. Vulnerable due to beach disturbance.