Black Skimmer

About the Black Skimmer

A distinctive coastal bird with a striking black and white pattern and a unique red and black bill, famous for skimming the water surface while feeding.

Fun Facts

• The lower bill is longer than the upper bill, a unique adaptation for skimming fish from the water.
• They fly low over the water with their lower bill cutting through the surface to catch small fish.
• Black Skimmers have vertical slit pupils like cats, which helps reduce glare from water and sand.
• They are highly social and often nest in colonies on sandy beaches and sandbars.