Black Skimmer
Rynchops niger
A striking coastal bird with an oversized lower bill used to slice through calm water and catch small fish.
Black Skimmers gather on Florida beaches, sandbars, spoil islands, and estuarine shorelines. Their black upperparts, white underparts, orange-and-black bill, and long narrow wings create an unmistakable profile.
They feed by flying inches above smooth water with the longer lower bill submerged. Nesting colonies need broad, open sand with little disturbance and enough elevation to avoid routine flooding.
Habitat:
Estuaries and Bays, Coastal Waters, Beaches and Dunes
Area / Range:
Atlantic Coast, Gulf Coast
Diet:
Feeds mainly on small schooling fish and occasionally shrimp and other aquatic prey captured at the water surface.
Behavior:
Forages over calm water, often around dusk or at night, by dragging the lower bill until contact triggers a snap. Nests and rests in social colonies on open sand.
Daytime, Nighttime, Dawn and Dusk
Active Times:
Best time to see:
Near dawn, dusk, or calm evening water along beaches, inlets, bays, and tidal flats.
Florida Native Status:
Native
Conservation Status:
State-designated Threatened in Florida; nesting colonies face disturbance, predation, erosion, and flooding.
Safety Level:
Low
Safety Information:
Stay outside posted nesting zones, keep dogs leashed and far from colonies, and never force resting birds to take flight.
Benefits to Property:
Supports coastal biodiversity and serves as a visible indicator of productive shallow-water habitat.
Property Concerns:
Colonies near managed beaches or waterfront work areas require protected buffers and careful timing. Disturbance can expose eggs and chicks to heat and predators.
Fun Fact:
- The lower half of the bill is longer than the upper half.
- Skimmers have narrow vertical pupils.
- They often feed when water is smooth and light is low.
Wildlife Laws:
Protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Florida rules for state-designated Threatened species. Do not enter posted colonies, disturb nests, or handle birds, eggs, or chicks.
Identification:
Large tern-like bird with black back and wings, white face and underparts, short red-orange legs, and a thick red-orange bill tipped black. The lower mandible extends beyond the upper mandible.