African Skimmer
A species of Skimmers Scientific name : Rynchops flavirostris Genus : Skimmers
African Skimmer, A species of Skimmers
Botanical name: Rynchops flavirostris
Genus: Skimmers
Content
Description General Info
Description
African skimmers have long wings, with a black back, hindneck, and crown. The forehead and rest of the body is white, with a bright, long, orange beak that ends with a yellow tip (black tip when immature). Their short forked tail is white, and their legs are bright red. The average size is about 38 cm (15 in) long. Their voice is a sharp "kip-kip". Their bill structure is unique; the lower mandible is much longer than the upper mandible, and is flattened sideways like scissor blades. 
Size
42 cm
Feeding Habits
African Skimmer primarily consumes fish, such as cichlids, up to 8 cm long. Using a unique skimming method, african Skimmer feeds by flying low over water with its lower mandible submerged, capturing prey during sustained glides. This behavior occurs at twilight and even at night, showcasing african Skimmer's adaptability in various lighting conditions.
Habitat
African Skimmer predominantly inhabits large river systems and associated wetlands across broad regions of Africa. These environments typically include tropical rivers with accessible sandbanks that are essential for african Skimmer's nesting and roosting needs. Lake shores, coastal lagoons, open marshes, and saltpans also form part of their preferred habitats. Occasionally, they can be found along coastlines. Although not commonly found in urban areas, they are known to rest and breed on sandbars and beaches and have been recorded at elevations up to 1800 meters, mainly visiting higher altitudes outside the breeding season.
Dite type
Piscivorous
General Info
Behavior
African skimmers fly in lines over calm waters, and dip their lower mandibles in the water to feed. When the mandible touches a fish, the skimmer snaps its mouth shut. They feed mostly at dawn and dusk and have good night vision. The following fish have been recorded as prey for African skimmers: Micralestes, Tilapia, Barbus, Marcusenius , Hepsetus, Aplocheilichthys and Petrocephalus.
Distribution Area
The African skimmer is found from Senegal to northern Congo River and southern Nile Valley, southern Tanzania to the Zambezi Valley, and then to KwaZulu-Natal Province (South Africa) and Angola. They live at large tropical rivers with sandbanks for nesting and roosting, lake shores, and coastal lagoons. The African skimmer is generally uncommon and the total populations is estimated at 15,000-25,000 individuals.
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Scientific Classification
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