Black Skimmer

Rynchops niger

The Black Skimmer's bold black-and-white plumage and oversized orange-red bill are instantly recognizable along coastlines and estuaries of the Americas. Its lower mandible is longer than the upper — a unique adaptation for skimming the water's surface to snap up fish. Flocks often feed together at dusk in coordinated, graceful passes.

Fun Fact

Black Skimmers are the only birds with a lower mandible longer than the upper, used to skim water for fish.

Attributes

TypeShorebird

Habitatcoastal, wetland

SizeMedium

Dietfish

FlightStandard

Colorsblack, white, orange

MigratoryYes

ContinentsNorth America, South America

Nest Typescrape

ConservationLeast Concern

Difficulty: hard