Love is in the Air – Courtship Rituals of Black Skimmers

Submitted 

A walk to Sand Dollar Island feels like a world away as you leave Marco’s “condo rises” behind. This small sand spit of unspoiled, sugary-white sand is a birder’s paradise where you’ll encounter resting, nesting and feeding birds. It is one of Florida’s Great Birding Trails and a flyover site for over sixty species of rare and protected birds. Sand Dollar Island is also a state designated “Critical Wildlife Area.”

During springtime, love is in the air, as birds on Sand Dollar Island look for a mate. Courtship rituals range from something sweet and simple like head bowing, or a risky aerial display. The black skimmers take their

passion to the air for a breathtaking aerial display. You’ll often observe a black skimmer soar into an aerodynamic ascent, wings narrow, pointed and streamlined. In an aggressive swoop, feathers fly. The male bird lands on the female’s back, as they cruise the wind in a synchronized duet. The flight’s grand finale is an elegant and electrifying downward glide from the sky, as they land softly on the sand together. All beautiful and soundless, with the blue sky providing a natural backdrop. It is a timeless choreography, colorful, fast, inspiring and imprinted in black skimmers since the beginning of the species.

The prize for this elaborate display is

to attract a mate and produce young with the partner of their choice. On Sand Dollar Island, black skimmers are busy feeding their young, getting them strong for their first flight out of the colony in early September. Some of the black skimmers migrate to South and Central America, but many may stay right here along the Gulf Coast.

Black Skimmer Facts

• Scientific name: Rynchops niger 

• Bright red bill with black tip. Legs and feet are red.

• Only bird species in the U.S. that has a larger lower mandible than upper mandible.

• A group of skimmers are called a “scoop” of skimmers.

• Call is a “kak, kak, kak”

or “kur, kur, kur,” similar to the barking of a small dog.

• Only bird known to have an elliptical vertical slit (cat-like) shaped pupils, surrounded by dark brown iris.

Threats

• Dogs and humans on the beach flushing nesting shorebirds.

• Trash on the beach attracts predators, such as crows, rats and raccoons.

Protection

• Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act

• Florida Species of Special Concern

What can you do to help?

• Respect posted areas and keep your distance from nesting shorebirds.

• Dogs are not allowed on Marco Island’s beaches.

• Keep it clean – take your trash with you.

• Report violations to the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline: 1-888-404-3922.

• Report injured birds to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Wildlife Clinic:

239-262-2273.