12.13. Rynchops niger: Black Skimmer http://www.ck12.org
12.13 Rynchops niger: Black Skimmer
Common Name
- Black Skimmer
Description
The black skimmer is a common bird found mostly on coasts. These birds are medium sized. They range from
15-20 inches and weigh about 15 oz. They are commonly known for their big red bill and red-orange legs that have
webbed feet. Their top bill is longer than the bottom bill so that they skim along water to catch food, hence its name
black skimmer.
The complete taxonomic classification is:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Charadriiformes
- Family: Rynchopidge
- Genus:Rynchops
- Species:R. niger