Black Skimmer Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesBlack Skimmer
Breeding adult
Long-winged coastal waterbird. Black above and white below with a bicolored bill. Often flaps with its wings held above its body.
© Dorian Anderson / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, October 31, 2018Breeding adult
The upper bill is shorter than the lower bill. Note the long body and short red-orange legs.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, August 16, 2014Breeding adults
Larger than terns but with similarly elegant, streamlined proportions. Sharp black-and-white contrast and red-and-black bill are distinctive.
© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay LibraryLouisiana, July 08, 2010Not all videos have sound
Immature
Immature birds look similar to adults but have more white on the neck and brown on back and wings.
© Denny Swaby / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, December 03, 2020Juvenile
Often rests with its body flat on the ground and neck extended.
© Chris S. Wood / Macaulay LibraryConnecticut, September 08, 2017Juvenile
A buoyant and graceful flier typically seen low over the water. Note dark wingtips and white tail with a black line down the center.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, September 09, 2016Breeding adult
Flies low with its lower bill slicing through the water. When the bill touches a fish, the upper bill snaps down instantly to catch it.
© Bryan Calk / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 08, 2017Flock
Found on open sandy beaches, on gravel or shell bars with sparse vegetation, or on mats of sea wrack (tide-stranded debris) in saltmarshes. Often forms large flocks outside the breeding season.
© Eric Matthews / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, January 07, 2017Similar SpeciesAmerican Oystercatcher
Adult
American Oystercatchers are plumper with longer legs and a shorter tail than Black Skimmers. They also have a brown back, whereas Black Skimmers have a black back.
© David Disher / Macaulay LibraryNorth Carolina, March 24, 2015Similar SpeciesAmerican Oystercatcher
Adult
In flight American Oystercatchers have broader wings with white stripes through the wings, whereas Black Skimmers have longer, more pointed wings and have a white trailing edge on the wings.
© Alix d'Entremont / Macaulay LibraryNova Scotia, June 08, 2014Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers(Order: Charadriiformes, Family: Laridae)
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