Quantcast

Black Skimmer

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

Black Skimmer Winter Adult - The winter adult Black Skimmer is similar to the breeding adult but has a white nape.
Black Skimmer Winter Adult
Black Skimmer - The breeding adult Black Skimmer has a black cap, dark gray upperparts and white underparts. The bill is bright orange tipped in black. The legs and feet are red.
Black Skimmer
.
Bird database and its related content, illustrations and media is Copyright © 2002 - 2007  Whatbird.com
All rights reserved. No part of this web site may be reproduced without written permission from Mitch Waite Group.
 Privacy Policy.
Percevia® Registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Bird Call Credits: The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Martyn Stewart, http://www.naturesound.org, Redmond, Washington USA. The reuse or copying of bird calls in this database is strictly forbidden.
Family
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