#rynchops

[herpsandbirds]

Indian Skimmers (Rynchops albicollis), family Laridae, order Charadriiformes, Chambal River, India

ENDANGERED.

photograph by Ayuwat Nature Photography

[snototter]

A black skimmer (Rynchops niger) skims the water in Roosevelt Wetlands, Florida, USA

by Matthew Paulson

[best-bird-tournament]

Skimmers (subfamily Rynchopinae, genus Rynchops)

Which is the best bird?

Black skimmer

African skimmer

Indian skimmer

Voting ended onOct 2, 2025

This genus is monotypic in its subfamily.

[thebeastsofindia]

Indian Skimmers (Rynchops albicollis), family Laridae, order Charadriiformes, Uttar Pradesh, India

Skimmers (genus Rynchops) are an unusual group of seabirds that have a much longer lower jaw than upper jaw. They hunt by “skimming”, trailing their lower jaw through the water and snapping it shut when it touches prey

They are the only birds known to have a slit shaped pupil, like crocodiles

They were historically known as “scissor bills” and “sea crows”

Endangered

Photo by Gargi Dalawat

[ridiculousbirdfaces]

Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)

[cloudypetrel]

Goofy Mandicarina

Mandicarina mentum is a speculative Pterosaur that hunted via surface skimming, like the birds named Rynchops.

Once upon a time it was called Sacarerostrulum communisstereotypus but that name was... a lot.

[saritawolf]

Black Skimmers (Rynchops niger) - (c) SaritaWolf - please do not repost

[haveyouseenthisbirdpoll]

Have you seen a Black skimmer (Rynchops niger)?

Yes, in nature

No, but I have heard one in nature

Yes, in captivity

No, but I have heard one in captivity

I might have/I'm not sure

No, I've only heard of it/seen it in photos/taxidermy/etc

No, and I have never heard of this bird

Voting ended onOct 2, 2024

Photo source

Map source