The Black Skimmer is the only bird in North America with a lower mandible longer than the upper, which it uses to 'skim' the water surface — flying with its lower bill slicing through the water and snapping shut when it contacts a fish. It feeds most actively at dusk and dawn when fish surface in calm water. Its vertically slit pupils reduce glare from water.
Best time to see a Black Skimmer
The best time to see a Black Skimmer is February–July, when about 60% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 17,924 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Black Skimmer? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Black Skimmer sightings near you
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