African Skimmer vs Royal Tern
Rynchops flavirostris compared with Thalasseus maximus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Skimmer | Royal Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rynchops flavirostris | Thalasseus maximus |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) | 72.7 cm (28.6 in) |
| Weight | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) | 402.3333333333333 g (14.19 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-5 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
African Skimmer
Least Concern
Royal 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.
Royal Tern
Royal Tern, 45–50 cm, is a large, powerful tern of American and West African coasts. Orange bill, shaggy black crest (full only briefly in spring), pale grey mantle. Piscivore; plunge-dives from 10 m for mullet and menhaden. Nests in dense colonies; often seen loafing on beaches year-round.