Prakruti Parichay
LaridaeRynchops

Indian Skimmer

Rynchops albicolfis

40–40 cmLarge
Beak
—
Feet
—
Crest
No crest

Resident. N and Csubcontinent. Adult has large, drooping orange-red bill (with lower mandible projecting noticeably beyond upper), black cap, and black mantle and wings contrasting with white underparts. in flight, shows broad white trailing edge to upperwing, white underwing with blackish primaries. and white rump and tail with black central tail feathers. Juvenile has whitish fringes to browner mantle and upperwing-coverts. diffuse cap, and dull orange bill with black tip. Globally threatened. Mainly larger rivers with sandbanks.

Colour

BlackWhiteOrangeRed
Average size
40 cm
Habitat
Mainly larger rivers with sandbanks.
Behaviour
Resident., Globally threatened.

About this bird

Resident. N and Csubcontinent. Adult has large, drooping orange-red bill (with lower mandible projecting noticeably beyond upper), black cap, and black mantle and wings contrasting with white underparts. in flight, shows broad white trailing edge to upperwing, white underwing with blackish primaries. and white rump and tail with black central tail feathers. Juvenile has whitish fringes to browner mantle and upperwing-coverts. diffuse cap, and dull orange bill with black tip. Globally threatened. Mainly larger rivers with sandbanks.

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Every bird sits between two neighbours — bigger than one, smaller than the other. The sentences below are generated live from the database.

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Indian Skimmer is bigger than Crab-plover but smaller than Great Eared Nightjar.

This bird

Indian Skimmer

Rynchops albicolfis

40–40 cm