African Skimmer vs Saunders's Tern
Rynchops flavirostris compared with Sternula saundersi
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Skimmer | Saunders's Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rynchops flavirostris | Sternula saundersi |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) | 33.6 cm (13.2 in) |
| Weight | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) | 41.825 g (1.48 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-5 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
African Skimmer
Least Concern
Saunders's 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.
Saunders's Tern
Saunders's Tern, 22–24 cm, is a small coastal tern of the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Indian Ocean coasts. Very similar to Little Tern; separated by darker outer primaries and slightly smaller size. Piscivore; hovers and dives in shallow coastal waters and tidal mudflats.