Black Skimmer Images, Facts and Information:
Rynchops niger
- Black Skimmers are large, black and white waterbirds with short red legs, red and black bills with the top being shorter and have long pointed wings.
- Some Black Skimmer populations are nonmigratory and some are migratory.
- Black Skimmers are coastal and prefer sandy or gravel beaches, estuaries, bays and salt marshes.
- Black Skimmers eat fish and shrimp that are near the surface of the water and when their bills touch the prey their bills snap shut quickly.
- Black Skimmers lay 4 to 5 eggs which hatch in 21 to 23 days. Both sexes incubate and they are monogamous colonial nesters.
- A group of skimmers can be called a “scoop” of skimmers.
- Black Skimmers can live up to 20 years.
I hope you enjoy viewing my Black Skimmer photos.
Relaxed Black Skimmer chick
Title: Relaxed Black Skimmer chick
Location: Fort De Soto County Park, Pinellas County, Florida
Date: 8/24/2008
Black Skimmer juvenile standing on a beach
Title: Black Skimmer juvenile standing on a beach
Location: Fort De Soto County Park, Pinellas County, Florida
Date: 8/24/2008
Calling adult Black Skimmer in breeding plumage
Title: Calling adult Black Skimmer in breeding plumage
Location: Fort De Soto County Park, Pinellas County, Florida
Date: 8/24/2008
Juvenile Black Skimmer sneaking by
Title: Juvenile Black Skimmer sneaking by
Location: Fort De Soto County Park, Pinellas County, Florida
Date: 8/24/2008
Black Skimmer adult resting on beach
Title: Black Skimmer adult resting on beach
Location: Fort De Soto County Park, Pinellas County, Florida
Date: 8/24/2008
Juvenile and adult Black Skimmers
Title: Juvenile and adult Black Skimmers
Location: Fort De Soto County Park, Pinellas County, Florida
Date: 8/24/2008
Black Skimmer juvenile resting on a spit of sand
Title: Black Skimmer juvenile resting on a spit of sand
Location: Fort De Soto County Park, Pinellas County, Florida
Date: 8/24/2008
Black Skimmer being chased by a Laughing Gull
Title: Black Skimmer being chased by a Laughing Gull
Location: Fort De Soto County Park, Pinellas County, Florida
Date: 8/24/2008
Young and adult Black Skimmer
Title: Young and adult Black Skimmer
Location: Fort De Soto County Park, Pinellas County, Florida
Date: 8/24/2008
Skimmer skimming the Gulf
Title: Skimmer skimming the Gulf
Location: Fort De Soto County Park, Pinellas County, Florida
Date: 8/6/2008
Black Skimmers Skimming
Title: Black Skimmers Skimming
Location: Fort De Soto County Park, Pinellas County, Florida
Date: 7/20/2008
Skimming Black Skimmer
Title: Skimming Black Skimmer
Location: Fort De Soto County Park, Pinellas County, Florida
Date: 7/9/2008
Black Skimmer just skimming along
Title: Black Skimmer just skimming along
Location: Fort De Soto County Park, Pinellas County, Florida
Date: 7/4/2008
Lone Black Skimmer on a foggy Gulf shore
Title: Lone Black Skimmer on a foggy Gulf shore
Location: Fort De Soto County Park, Pinellas County, Florida
Date: 6/25/2008
Gulf shore Black Skimmer foraging
Title: Gulf shore Black Skimmer foraging
Location: Fort De Soto County Park, Pinellas County, Florida
Date: 6/25/2008
Calling Black Skimmer on a hazy day
Title: Calling Black Skimmer on a hazy day
Location: Fort De Soto County Park, Pinellas County, Florida
Date: 5/9/2008
Courting Black Skimmers
Title: Courting Black Skimmers
Location: Fort De Soto County Park, Pinellas County, Florida
Date: 5/9/2008
Black Skimmer adult on beach
Title: Black Skimmer adult on beach
Location: Fort De Soto County Park, Pinellas County, Florida
Date: 5/9/2008
Black Skimmer on a hazy day
Title: Black Skimmer on a hazy day
Location: Fort De Soto County Park, Pinellas County, Florida
Date: 5/9/2008
Black Skimmer on beach
Title: Black Skimmer on beach
Location: Fort De Soto County Park, Pinellas County, Florida
Date: 4/30/2008