Black Skimmer
Rynchops niger
Embed This Widget
Add the script tag and a data attribute to embed this widget.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/birdfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<div data-birdfyi="bird" data-slug="rynchops-niger"></div>Embed via iframe for maximum compatibility.
<iframe src="https://birdfyi.com/iframe/bird/rynchops-niger/" width="420" height="400" frameborder="0" style="border:0;border-radius:10px;max-width:100%" loading="lazy"></iframe>Paste this URL in WordPress, Medium, or any oEmbed-compatible platform.
https://birdfyi.com/bird/rynchops-niger/Add a dynamic SVG badge to your README or docs.
[](https://birdfyi.com/bird/rynchops-niger/)Use the native HTML custom element.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/birdfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<birdfyi-bird slug="rynchops-niger"></birdfyi-bird>About
Black Skimmer: 40–50 cm, the largest skimmer with jet black upperparts, white underparts, and an outsized red-and-black bill with protruding lower mandible. Inhabits large rivers, estuaries, and coastal lagoons of North and South America. Feeds at dawn and dusk by skimming water surface. Nests colonially on sandy beaches. Partly migratory.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 73.1 cm | 28.8 in |
| Weight | 293.6666666666667 g | 10.36 oz |
Habitat & Range
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: SC. Incubation: 21-25 days. Fledging: 28-30 days.
Clutch Size
1-6
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes (Shorebirds & Gulls) |
| Family | Laridae (Gulls & Terns) |
| Genus | Rynchops |
| Species | Rynchops niger |
Distribution
Black Skimmer has been recorded in 4 countries.
{# Distribution Map — simplified SVG world map with highlighted countries. Expects `country_codes` variable: list of ISO alpha-2 codes (e.g. ["US", "CA", "MX"]). Uses Alpine.js to toggle classes on country paths. #}countries highlighted
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Black Skimmer endangered?
How does the Black Skimmer nest?
How big is the Black Skimmer?
What order and family does the Black Skimmer belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Laridae family