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Black Skimmer

Rynchops nigerOrder: CHARADRIIFORMESFamily: Skuas, Gulls, Terns, Skimmers (Laridae)

Breeding Location:

Seashore, rocky or sandy



Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Small colonies



Breeding Population:



Egg Color:

Pink or blue with brown, lavender and gray marks



Number of Eggs:

4 - 5



Incubation Days:

21 - 23



Egg Incubator:

Both sexes



Nest Material:

No material added to nest.



Migration:

Some migrate



Splitbar

Overview

Black Skimmer: Odd-looking, tern-like bird with black upperparts and white underparts. Bright red bill with black tip, lower mandible longer than upper. Long, slim wings are dark above and silver-gray below. Tail is white with black central feathers. Legs, feet are red. Direct flight.

Range and Habitat

Black Skimmer: Breeds along Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Massachusetts and Long Island to Florida and Texas. Spends winters north to southern California and Virginia; also in Central and South America. Preferred habitats include sandy or gravelly bars and beaches, shallow bays, estuaries, and salt marsh pools.

Breeding and Nesting

Black Skimmer: Four to five blue or pink eggs with brown, lavender, and gray marks are laid in a simple scrape on the ground or depression in vegetation. Incubation ranges from 21 to 23 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Black Skimmer: Feeds on fish and shrimp. Forages by flying low with open bill, dipping the lower mandible into the water and slicing through the surface; upon sensing a fish, the bird snaps its upper bill shut, seizing its prey.

Vocalization

Black Skimmer: Call is a loud bark, given singly or in series.

Similar Species

Black Skimmer: None in range.

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Family Skimmer (Laridae)_blue
Species Rynchops niger
Length18 - 19 Inches
Wingspan46 Inches

Black Skimmer

Black Skimmer: Odd-looking, tern-like bird with black upperparts and white underparts. Bright red bill with black tip, lower mandible longer than upper. Long, slim wings are dark above and silver-gray below. Tail is white with black central feathers. Legs, feet are red. Direct flight.

● Song: "kak-kak-kak", "kur-kur-kur"

● Foraging & Feeding: Black Skimmer: Feeds on fish and shrimp. Forages by flying low with open bill, dipping the lower mandible into the water and slicing through the surface; upon sensing a fish, the bird snaps its upper bill shut, seizing its prey.

● Breeding & nesting: Black Skimmer: Four to five blue or pink eggs with brown, lavender, and gray marks are laid in a simple scrape on the ground or depression in vegetation. Incubation ranges from 21 to 23 days and is carried out by both parents.

● Similar species: Black Skimmer: None in range.

Flight Pattern

Buoyant graceful flight with nearly constant wing beats.
Black Skimmer: Breeding Adult
● Range & Habitat: Black Skimmer: Breeds along Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Massachusetts and Long Island to Florida and Texas. Spends winters north to southern California and Virginia; also in Central and South America. Preferred habitats include sandy or gravelly bars and beaches, shallow bays, estuaries, and salt marsh pools.
BreedingMonogamous, Small colonies
Population
MigrationSome migrate
Weight12.3 Ounces