ExplorarAves

Black Skimmer

Rynchops niger

The Black Skimmer is a unique bird known for its long, thin bill that helps it catch fish by skimming the water. With its striking black and white feathers, it looks very cool while flying over the beach!

Hábitat: Coastal areas

Aspecto

The Black Skimmer has a striking black back and cap contrasting with a pristine white belly. Its most distinctive feature is a unique bright orange-red bill with a black tip, where the lower mandible is much longer than the upper, unlike any other bird.

ReinoAnimaliaFiloChordataClaseAvesOrdenCharadriiformesFamiliaLaridaeGéneroRynchops

Black Skimmer

Categoría

Aves

Rareza

Common

Peligro

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Snaps

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Datos interesantes

Baby skimmers are born with equal-sized bills, which change as they grow.

Skimmers close their eyes just before their bill hits the water to protect them!

Their lower jaw is the only one in the bird world longer than the upper!

They sometimes use their long lower bill to 'plow' nest scrapes in the sand.

Habilidades especiales

Black Skimmer can hunt by flying with its lower bill slicing through the water's surface, helping them catch fish by touch.

Black Skimmer has a specialized lower mandible that is longer than the upper, helping them expertly scoop prey from the water.

Black Skimmer can often feed at night because their keen sense of touch in their bill helps them find fish in the dark.

Black Skimmer has vertical, cat-like pupils that help them reduce glare and see clearly when hunting in bright sun.

Medidas y detalles

Longitud: 40-50 cm
Envergadura: 107-127 cm
Peso: 0.25-0.4 kg
Esperanza de vida: 10-20 años
Top Speed: 50 km/h
Tamaño de la puesta: 2-5
Incubación: 21-25 días
Distancia de migración: 5000 km

Dieta y alimentación

Mostly small fish, caught by skimming their unique bill across the water!

Alimentos principales

mullet
silversides
anchovies
shrimp

Método de búsqueda

Pursuit

Conexiones ecológicas

eaten by

American Herring Gull

Larus smithsonianus

Gulls prey on skimmer eggs and young chicks.

eaten by

American Crow

Corvus brachyrhynchos

Crows snatch eggs and small skimmer chicks.

eaten by

Raccoon

Procyon lotor

Raccoons raid nests for eggs and chicks.

symbiotic with

Common Tern

Sterna hirundo

Often nests alongside terns for added colony protection.

Rasgos

Con plumas

Describe a los animales, principalmente aves, que poseen una cubierta de plumas.

Social

Los animales sociales viven en grupos organizados, cooperando para obtener beneficios de supervivencia como la búsqueda de alimento, la defensa y la cría de descendencia.

Piscívoro

Los organismos piscívoros son animales que subsisten principalmente de una dieta a base de peces.

Planeo

Los animales planeadores se mueven por el aire lanzándose y manteniendo el vuelo con estructuras corporales especializadas, sin batir las alas.

Costero

Los hábitats costeros son entornos dinámicos situados a lo largo de la interfaz entre la tierra y el mar, influenciados por las mareas, las olas y el agua salada.