Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Photographs on this web-site were taken by Paul Smith, Arne Lesterhuis, Frank Fragano,
José Luis Cartes and Silvia Centrón and are used with their permission.
BLACK SKIMMER Rynchops niger
The only South American member of a family of strange waterbirds, related to Gulls and Terns. Their most notable feature is the grossly extended lower mandible which they use to "skim" the water surface - the origin of their common name. Feeding birds fly on their long pointed wings with the tip of the mandible cutting the surface of the water, the bill clamping shut when it comes into contact with something edible. Mainly found along large rivers, one of the best places to see them is the Bahía de Asunción just outside the capital city.
Click on the images to enlarge them.
FIGURE 1 - (FPAVE2746PH) Pair, Bahía de Asunción, Departamento Central (Frank Fragano undated).
FIGURE 2 - (FPAVE2747PH) Adults loafing, Bahía de Asunción, Departamento Central (José Luis Cartes undated).
FIGURE 3 - (FPAVE2748PH) Pair in flight, Bahía de Asunción, Departamento Central (Frank Fragano undated).
FIGURE 4 - (FPAVE2749PH) Adults in flight, location unknown (Arne Lesterhuis undated).
FIGURE 5 - (FPAVE2750PH) Nest with eggs, location unknown (Arne Lesterhuis undated).
FIGURE 6 - (FPAVE2751PH) Nest with chicks, Isla Yacyretá, Departamento Misiones (Sylvia Centrón October 2007).
VIDEO - (FPAVE2752VI) Pair flying and calling, Rio Aquidaban, Departamento Concepción (Paul Smith August 2011).
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