Black Skimmer

We frequently get to observe Black Skimmers feeding while on Cape San Blas, Florida and it is a delightful afternoon activity.

A long-winged bird with stark black-and-white plumage, the Black Skimmer has a unique grace as it forages in flight.

Skimmers feed by opening the bill and dropping the long, narrow lower mandible into the water, skimming along until they feel a fish.

Then they relax the neck, quickly closing their jaws and whipping the fish out of the water.

Because they feed by essentially by touch, they can even forage at night. The world’s three species of skimmers are the only birds on earth that feed in this manner. Cornell All About Birds