This beach-nester is the only bird whose lower bill is longer than its upper bill. It skims along, just above the water, and uses its unusual bill to plough through the surface feeling for small fish. To keep up with this constant erosion, the Skimmer’s lower bill grows at twice the rate of the upper. The skimming behavior allows the bird to fly with less drag, saving energy. Black Skimmers also show site fidelity, meaning that individuals tend to return year after year to the same nesting sites.
