Identifying Black Skimmers
Black Skimmers are large black and white birds with noticeably long wings. They are generally dark on top and white underneath. They have a bi-color bill that is orange at the base and then black to the tip. The lower mandible is about 1/3 longer than the upper. They have bright orange legs.
Identifying Behaviors
Black Skimmers have a few unique behaviors:
- When they hunt, they drag their lower, longer mandible in the water to catch fish.
- Sometimes you can find Black Skimmers lying on the beach on their bellies. Although they might appear ill, they are just resting (and far are easier to photograph in this pose).
Where to find Black Skimmers
Black Skimmers can be found year-round on the Florida coast. You can often find them hanging out with large groups of gulls and terns on beaches. Specifically, you can find them in:
- Sebastian Inlet (Indian River County)
- Jetty Park in Cape Canaveral (Brevard County)
- Ponce Inlet (Volusia County)
When to Photograph
July through March
Tips on Photographing
To photograph a bird that dives, you should… [Philip, please describe some tips… maybe camera settings? Whatever you think might be helpful]
For Additional Information
For additional information on photographing Black Skimmers and many other shore birds, click here to sign up for our guided tour of Sebastian Inlet on October 15.
