California

Black Skimmer

Rynchops niger

The black skimmer is an elegant and unusual bird. A rare visitor to California, this bird's beak is like no other. The lower mandible is nearly twice the length of the upper, and gives the appearance of having a severe underbite. Skimmers fly just above the water with their elongated lower mandible submerged. They perform this "skimming" behavior until the bill comes in contact with a fish.

californiabirdflyingblack skimmerrynchops nigerredwood city