African Skimmer vs Greater Crested Tern
Rynchops flavirostris compared with Thalasseus bergii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Skimmer | Greater Crested Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rynchops flavirostris | Thalasseus bergii |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) | 71.6 cm (28.2 in) |
| Weight | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) | 367.75 g (12.97 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-5 | 1-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
African Skimmer
Least Concern
Greater Crested 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.
Greater Crested Tern
Greater Crested Tern, 43–48 cm, is the largest crested tern of the Indo-Pacific, breeding from South Africa to Japan and Australia. Yellow-green bill, prominent black crest, grey back. Colonial breeder on sand islands; plunge-dives for fish. Partially migratory; disperses across Indian and Pacific Oceans.