Species profile
Black Skimmer
Rynchops niger
Quick answer
Skims the surface with an elongated lower mandible.
- Scientific name
- Rynchops niger
- Family
- Laridae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Genus
- Rynchops
- Conservation status
- Least Concern
Habitat
Sheltered coastal waters
Recording Black Skimmer in your journal
When you see this bird, log the sighting with the date, the place and any photos. If it's your first, Feather Journal marks it as a lifer and adds it to your life list automatically — no spreadsheet, no re-typing.