Black Skimmer

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  Black Skimmer

  Adult breeding

  • Long wings extend past tail
  • Orange and black bill with lower mandible longer than upper mandible
  • Black on forehead, neck, back and wings
  • White face and underparts
  • Short legs
  • © Matt Bango, NJ, Raritan Bay, July 2010
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  Black Skimmer

  Adult nonbreeding

  • Bill orange at base and black at tip
  • Blade-like lower mandible extends past upper mandible
  • Winter adult has white collar around neck
  • Dark eye obscured within black cap
  • © Thomas J. Dunkerton/GBBC, FL, Parrish Park, Titusville
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  Black Skimmer

  Adult non-breeding

  • Unique bill hangs open to "skim" water as bird flies low over the surface
  • White underparts and black upperparts
  • Winter adult has white collar on nape
  • Bright orange and black bill
  • Long wings used for gliding and flapping low over water
  • © Michael Rosenbaum, FL, Merritt Island NWR, February 2007
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  Black Skimmer

  Adult breeding

  • Black covers crown, back, and wings
  • Thin white trailing edge on wings
  • Bright orange and black bill
  • Long, broad wings
  • White from base of bill through underparts
  • © Phillip Simmons, FL, The Narrows, Seminole, June 2010
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  Black Skimmer

  First winter immature

  • Dusky gray cap, back, and wings with some flecks of white
  • White collar on nape, and white on face, breast, and belly
  • Two-toned orange and black bill with lower mandible jutting out past upper mandible
  • Short orange legs
  • Long wings extend past tail
  • © Jay Paredes, FL, Pompano Beach, December 2010
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  Black Skimmer

  Juvenile

  • Tan, black, and white patterning on crown, back, and wings
  • Very short legs
  • Orange and black bill hasn't yet developed unique adult shape
  • Dark eye
  • © Greg Gard, NJ, Sandy Hook, September 2010
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  Black Skimmer

  Adult breeding

  • Black wings show white trailing edge in flight
  • Black on back/rump extends down through center of otherwise white tail
  • Head bowed down with orange and black bill poised to "skim" water surface
  • Black on crown and nape
  • © James Blair, CA, Temecula Heights, San Diego, July 2010
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  Black Skimmer

  Adult feeding chick

  • Chick covered in fluffy tan down with dark speckling
  • Adult with dark upperparts, white underparts, and long wings
  • Adult's orange-and-black bill has knife-like lower mandible protruding past upper mandible
  • © Phillip Simmons, FL, Pinellas County, June 2010