Black Skimmer

ocean birds · amazing beaks · seabirds

Flipped-over beak. The black skimmer has a lower jaw that's longer than its upper jaw, which is totally backwards from most birds. It uses this special beak to skim along the water and snatch fish in one smooth motion.

Water-level hunters. These birds fly super close to the water's surface with their long lower beak dipping in. When they feel a fish, their beak snaps shut to catch it without even stopping.

Two continents, one bird. Black skimmers live in North and South America, breeding in warm areas near coasts and rivers. The ones in the north fly south to the Caribbean and tropical coasts when winter arrives.

River experts too. Unlike many seabirds, black skimmers also hunt in shallow rivers, especially after floods make the water spread out. This gives them more places to find food.

Tern's close cousin. Black skimmers are related to terns and gulls, and they're the only birds in the whole world with this upside-down beak design.