About the Indian Skimmer
The Indian skimmer or Indian scissors-bill is one of the three species that belong to the skimmer genus Rynchops in the family Laridae. They are somewhat tern-like but like other skimmers, have a short upper mandible and the longer lower mandible that is ploughed along the surface of water as the bird flies over the water to pick aquatic prey. It is found in southern Asia, where it is patchily distributed and declining in numbers. They are mainly found in rivers or estuaries. They are very brightly marked in black, white and orange, making them difficult to miss.
Source: Wikipedia
Taxonomy & Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers (Laridae) |
| Species | Rynchops albicollis |
| Species Codes | indski1, INSK |
| Conservation | EN Endangered |
Frequently Asked Questions
What family does the Indian Skimmer belong to?
The Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) belongs to the Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers family (Laridae), in the order Charadriiformes.
What is the conservation status of the Indian Skimmer?
The Indian Skimmer is classified as "Endangered" (EN) by IUCN Red List.
How can I identify the Indian Skimmer?
The Indian skimmer or Indian scissors-bill is one of the three species that belong to the skimmer genus Rynchops in the family Laridae. They are somewhat tern-like but like other skimmers, have a short upper mandible and the longer lower mandible that is ploughed along the surface of water as the bi...
Where can I report a Indian Skimmer sighting?
You can log sightings of Indian Skimmer on eBird (ebird.org) using species code indski1, or on iNaturalist.
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