Social and gregarious birds that feed from the surface of river waters. Form flocks and rest on sandbars. Using their open thick bill, they skim water surface to trap fish and other prey. This type of bill is unique as its lower half is longer than the upper part. Because of this trait, they are also called ‘cutwaters’. The black skimmer is an endangered species. Can live up to 20 years.
Aves que se las encuentran en bandadas y obtienen su alimento de la superficie del agua de los ríos. Viven cerca de los ríos. Tienen un pico peculiar cuya parte inferior es más larga que la superior. Al volar sobre el agua, abren el pico para atrapar su presa cortando el agua. El pico tijera es un ave en peligro de extinción. Puede vivir hasta los 20 años.
Name in Spanish: Picotijera Americano
Rynchops niger
black skimmer
picotijera americano
ORDER: CHARADRIIFORMES
FAMILY: RYNCHOPIDAE
Size/Tamaño: 18 in | 45 cm
Location: Several rivers in north and east and Cauca Valley
Altura: <50 m
Status:
Photos by: ©Alonso Quevedo Gil
MALE