Black Skimmer (State Species of Special Concern)

Identification:
Heavy, orange bill with black tip is diagnostic.Lower mandible longer than upper mandible.Flight capable juveniles (hatch year) lack the jet-black back and wing feathers of adults, and are streaked with grayish black.First summer juveniles (1-year olds) can be distinguished from breeding adults by white area extending around the back of the neck and paler, grayer plumage (adults in winter plumage also have white around the back of the neck).

Breeding:
Colonial Nester that will occasionally nest on rooftops.Skimmers nest later in the season than most terns with peak nesting occurring in the first week of June.

Clutch Size:
Usually 4 eggs (ranges from 3-5)

Incubation:
21-23 days

Fledge:
23-25 days

Breeding Bird Atlas Account

*Flying Black Skimmer photo by Jeff Gore, Black Skimmer and nest photo by Nancy Douglas