Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)

Identification & Behavior:~45 cm (18 in). The Black Skimmer resembles a tern. It has very long wings and flies in a graceful manner. The bill is long and bicolored with the lower mandible longer than the upper one. All underparts and forehead are white. The upperparts are black and vary in breeding and non-breeding birds. It Skims the water surface with their laterally compressed lower mandible.

Status: The Black Skimmer is uncommon to rare in Amazonian rivers. Breeds on sandy shores of Amazonian rivers during low waters, but disappears during the high water or rainy season of Dec, Jan-Feb, and Mar. Also uncommon along the shores of the Pacific Ocean. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, Bo, and Ch.

Name in Spanish: Rayador.

Sub-species: Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) Linnaeus, 1758.

Meaning of Name: Rynchops: Gr rhunkhos= a beak, kopto= cut, a beak that cuts. niger: L black, dark colored.

See more of the Family Rynchopidae