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Black Skimmer Rynchops niger Rayador Negro
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Photo: G. Beaton
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Black Skimmer Rynchops niger Rayador Negro
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Photo: G. Beaton
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A distinctive, black-backed seabird with a red and black bill. The lower mandible is longer than the upper. Length: 40-50 cm.; weight: male 365 g., female 265 g. Breeds in southern North America and in South America. A rare winter visitor to Puerto Rico, it has also occurred in summer (Ca±o Tiburones Nature Reserve, 3 July 1998). The skimmer flies just above fresh or salt water, with its lower bill in the water. The bill snaps shut by reflex when a small fish touches the bill. TAXONOMY: CHARADRIIFORMES; LARIDAE; Rynchopinae |
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References del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott, and J. Sargatal, eds. 1996. Handbook of Birds of the World, Vol. 3. Hoatzin to Auks. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. Gochfeld, M., and J. Burger. 1994. Black Skimmer (Rhynchops niger). No. 108 in The birds of North America (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). Acad. Nat. Sci., Philadelphia, PA, and Am. Ornithol. Union, Washington, D.C. Raffaele, H.A. 1989. A guide to the birds of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Princeton. Raffaele, H.A. 1989. Una guía a las aves de Puerto Rico y las Islas Vírgenes. Publishing Resources, Inc., Santurce, PR. Raffaele, H.A., J.W. Wiley, O.H. Garrido, A.R. Keith, and J.I. Raffaele. 1998. Guide to the birds of the West Indies. Princeton. Next related species in taxonomic order Previous related species in taxonomic order |