Black Skimmer Photo Gallery
Breeding adult
Long-winged coastal waterbird. Black above and white below with a bicolored bill. Often flaps with its wings held above its body.
© Dorian Anderson / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, October 31, 2018Breeding adult
The upper bill is shorter than the lower bill. Note the long body and short red-orange legs.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, August 16, 2014Breeding adults
Larger than terns but with similarly elegant, streamlined proportions. Sharp black-and-white contrast and red-and-black bill are distinctive.
© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay LibraryLouisiana, July 08, 2010Not all videos have soundImmature
Immature birds look similar to adults but have more white on the neck and brown on back and wings.
© Denny Swaby / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, December 03, 2020Juvenile
Often rests with its body flat on the ground and neck extended.
© Chris S. Wood / Macaulay LibraryConnecticut, September 08, 2017Juvenile
A buoyant and graceful flier typically seen low over the water. Note dark wingtips and white tail with a black line down the center.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, September 09, 2016Breeding adult
Flies low with its lower bill slicing through the water. When the bill touches a fish, the upper bill snaps down instantly to catch it.
© Bryan Calk / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 08, 2017Flock
Found on open sandy beaches, on gravel or shell bars with sparse vegetation, or on mats of sea wrack (tide-stranded debris) in saltmarshes. Often forms large flocks outside the breeding season.
© Eric Matthews / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, January 07, 2017Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers(Order: Charadriiformes, Family: Laridae)
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