African Skimmer vs Sandwich Tern
Rynchops flavirostris compared with Thalasseus sandvicensis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Skimmer | Sandwich Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rynchops flavirostris | Thalasseus sandvicensis |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 66.4 cm (26.1 in) | 57.7 cm (22.7 in) |
| Weight | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) | 223.5 g (7.88 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-5 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
African Skimmer
Least Concern
Sandwich 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.
Sandwich Tern
Sandwich Tern, 36–41 cm, is a widespread coastal tern breeding from Western Europe and the Caspian Sea to the Caribbean. Black cap with shaggy crest, slender black bill with a yellow tip. Plunge-dives forcefully for sand eels and sprats. Strongly migratory; European birds winter to West Africa.