Skimmers (Rynchopidae)
Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) - HBW 3, p. 676
French: Bec-en-ciseaux noir
German: Amerikanischer Scherenschnabel
Spanish: Rayador Americano
Other common names: American Skimmer
Taxonomy: Rynchops nigra Linnaeus, 1758, America = coast of South Carolina.
Forms superspecies with R. flavirostris and R. albicollis; some authorities have suggested that all three might be conspecific, but good evidence apparently lacking. Species name changed from nigra to niger, when all genera ending in -ops were ruled as being of masculine gender. Races cinerascens and intercedens formerly considered to constitute two further species, on account of white, as opposed to dusky, on wing linings and tail, and amount of white edging on secondaries; however, variability of these characters is more consistent with subsp.. View all taxonomy...
Taxonomy: Rynchops nigra Linnaeus, 1758, America = coast of South Carolina.
Forms superspecies with R. flavirostris and R. albicollis; some authorities have suggested that all three might be conspecific, but good evidence apparently lacking. Species name changed from nigra to niger, when all genera ending in -ops were ruled as being of masculine gender. Races cinerascens and intercedens formerly considered to constitute two further species, on account of white, as opposed to dusky, on wing linings and tail, and amount of white edging on secondaries; however, variability of these characters is more consistent with subspecific differentiation. Dubious race intermedia (W South America) normally included within cinerascens; proposed race melanura is synonymous with cinerascens. Three subspecies normally recognized.
Forms superspecies with R. flavirostris and R. albicollis; some authorities have suggested that all three might be conspecific, but good evidence apparently lacking. Species name changed from nigra to niger, when all genera ending in -ops were ruled as being of masculine gender. Races cinerascens and intercedens formerly considered to constitute two further species, on account of white, as opposed to dusky, on wing linings and tail, and amount of white edging on secondaries; however, variability of these characters is more consistent with subspecific differentiation. Dubious race intermedia (W South America) normally included within cinerascens; proposed race melanura is synonymous with cinerascens. Three subspecies normally recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution:
- niger Linnaeus, 1758 - coasts of USA (S California; Massachusetts to Texas) and Mexico (Sonora to Nayarit; Tamaulipas to Yucatán Peninsula); winters from California and North Carolina S to both coasts of Panama.
- cinerascens Spix, 1825 - coasts of Colombia to mouth of R Amazon and W Ecuador (Gulf of Guayaquil), and large river systems (especially Orinoco and Amazon) S to Bolivia and NW Argentina; winters on coasts, from Ecuador to S Chile, and from Panama to Trinidad and NC Brazil.
- intercedens Saunders, 1895 - large rivers of E Brazil (W to Maranhão and E Mato Grosso), E Paraguay, Uruguay and NE Argentina (S to Bahía Blanca); winters mainly on coast.
- Least Concern Enlarge map
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A winter adult on the beach calling several times. Locality Ventura, Ventura County, California, USA (United States) (ssp niger)
Don DesJardin 15 January 2009 2 years ago 41 sec 4.6 -
A bird skimming, with a section of video slowed down to show the technique. Locality Bolsa Chica Wetlands Reserve, Huntington Beach, Orange County, California, USA (United States) (Monotypic species)
Paul Clarke 26 June 2010 1 year ago 37 sec 4.5 -
A preening bird on a small sandbank. Locality Rio Lagartos, Yucatán State, Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico (Southern) (ssp niger)
Pieter de Groot Boersma 27 July 2005 5 years ago 30 sec 4.5 -
Several birds skimming in a canal Locality Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Assateague Island, Maryland, USA (United States) (ssp niger)
Robert Schaefer 20 August 2007 3 years ago 18 sec 4.5 -
A group on a sandbank amidst the mangroves, calling softly and showing comfort behaviour. Locality Rio Lagartos, Yucatán State, Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico (Southern) (ssp niger)
Pieter de Groot Boersma 27 July 2005 5 years ago 44 sec 4.4 -
A group of birds in the water flying off and then landing in the sand Locality Rio Lagartos, Yucatán State, Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico (Southern) (ssp niger)
Josep del Hoyo 29 September 2006 4 years ago 27 sec 4.3
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Adult bird feeding by uniquely skimming over the water with the lower beak under water.
Locality Hato El Cedral, Apure State, Venezuela
Lutz Dürselen 12 February 2011 35 weeks ago 4.7 -
Bird in flight
Locality Puerto López, Meta Department, Colombia
mauricio rueda 3 April 2010 1 year ago 4 -
Ever wonder what happens if a Skimmer hits something in the water?
Locality Port Aransas Birding Center, Port Aransas, Nueces County, Texas, USA (United States)
Erik Breden 23 July 2009 1 year ago 3.7 -
Black skimmer in flight
Locality Paracas National Reserve, Ica Department, Peru
Nature Expeditions Peru 1 January 2009 2 years ago 3.7 -
Bird flying
Locality Palomino, La Guajira Department, Colombia
mauricio rueda 3 April 2007 2 years ago 3.7 -
Loafing on a beach at low tide
Locality St. Augustine, St. Johns County, Florida, USA (United States)
Ian Barker 1 May 2011 36 weeks ago 3.7
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Calls in flight. Locality Tocantins State, Brazil
(Monotypic species)
Ciro Albano 5 July 2008 2 years ago 3
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