One of the most interesting birds we regularly see in our coastal communities is the American Black Skimmer.
The strange, uneven bill of the skimmer has a purpose: the bird flies low, with the long lower mandible plowing the water, snapping the bill shut when it contacts a fish. Strictly coastal in most areas of North America, Black Skimmers are often seen resting on sandbars and beaches. Unlike most birds, their eyes have vertical pupils, narrowed to slits to cut the glare of water and white sand. Flocks in flight may turn in unison, with synchronized beats of their long wings.
The world’s three species of skimmers are sometimes placed in their own separate family, although they are clearly related to the terns.
Feeding Behavior – Well-known for its skimming habit, furrowing the water with lower mandible, the upper mandible snapping down immediately when contact is made with a fish. Finds food by touch, not by sight; often forages in late evening or at night, when waters may be calmer and more fish may be close to surface. Rarely may forage by wading in very shallow water, scooping up fish.
Eggs – 4-5, sometimes 3, rarely 6-7. Variable in color, whitish to buff to blue-green, marked with dark brown. Incubation is by both sexes (male may do more), 21-23 days.
Young – Both parents feed young, by regurgitation. Upper and lower mandibles of young are same length at first, so they are able to pick up food dropped on the ground by parents. Young wander in vicinity of nest after a few days; if danger threatens they may attempt to look inconspicuous by lying flat on beach, even kicking up sand to make a hollow to lie in. They are able to fly at about 23-25 days.
Skimmers feed mostly on small fish and crustaceans that live just below surface of water.
They breed in colonies. With nest sites on open sandy beaches, shell banks, sandbars, and sometimes gravel roofs, their habitats are public. An they are very sensitive to disturbances in nesting colonies.
In late 19th century, eggs were harvested commercially, and adults were killed for their feathers, leading to a reduction of Atlantic Coast populations; there has been a good recovery of numbers since. Locally there is a team of folks from Suncoast Audubon who act as volunteer stewards to monitor colonies of these remarkable birds whose threatened habitat are the beaches we love. A recent report counted 443 adults, 57 downy chicks and 203 feathered chicks at St. Pete Beach along with a few Royal and Sandwich Terns. There were almost an equal number at Sand Key, and another 300 adults at Indian Shores, at that time, and 6 dozen adults with 2 dozen chicks at Clearwater Point. That is a population of more than 1,700 of these incredible birds living on South Pinellas Beaches.
For more information or to volunteer, see www.audubon.org or call 727-366-2791.