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Black Skimmer

Rynchops nigerOrder: CHARADRIIFORMESFamily: Skuas, Gulls, Terns, Skimmers (Laridae)
Black Skimmer Head Illustration

Head

  • Bill Shape: Specialized
  • Eye Color: Dark brown.
  • Head Pattern: Plain, Special (unique patterns or features)
  • Crown Color: Black
  • Forehead Color: White
  • Nape Color: Black
  • Throat Color: White
  • Cere color: No Data
Black Skimmer: Breeding Adult

Body

  • Length Range: 46-48 cm (18-19 in)
  • Weight: 349 g (12.3 oz)
  • Size: Size 4. Large (16 - 32 in)
  • Color: White, Black
  • Underparts: White
  • Upperparts: Black
  • Back Pattern: Solid
  • Belly Pattern: Solid
  • Breast Pattern: Solid
Black Skimmer Flight Illustration

Flight

  • Flight Pattern: Buoyant graceful flight with nearly constant wing beats.
  • Wingspan Range: 107-127 cm (42-50 in)
  • Wing Shape: Pointed-Wings, Long-Wings
  • Tail Shape: Forked Tail
  • Tail Pattern: Solid
  • Upper Tail: White with black central feathers.
  • Under Tail: White
  • Leg Color: Red
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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