Black skimmers

Black skimmer!

With their striking black-and-white plumage and bright orange bills, Black Skimmers are often mistaken for the American Oystercatcher. But look a little closer, and you’ll spot a key difference…how they feed and fly! Unlike the Oystercatcher, which severs oysters open with its strong beak during a lowish tide, the Black Skimmer uses its unique, slightly longer lower bill to “skim” the ocean’s surface. Flying low over the water, it glides with its bill open, snapping shut the moment it feels a fish, shrimp, or soft-shelled crab. It’s a feeding style as graceful as it is specialized, perfectly adapted to life along coastal waters.

Black Skimmers aren’t just fascinating to watch but they play an important role in the health of marine ecosystems. By hunting small fish and crustaceans, they help maintain a balanced food web and keep populations from becoming overabundant. Their presence also signals a healthy shoreline, as they rely on clean, unpolluted waters to hunt successfully. Unfortunately, habitat loss, human disturbance, and declining water quality threaten these elegant birds. Protecting coastal environments ensures that black skimmers can continue their dinnertime flights.