Brazil: Pantanal – Black Skimmer

I have seen African skimmers in Africa, so here are their South American brethren. Black skimmers are larger birds that are famous (and named for) the way they get their food – flying low above the water and skimming the surface with their massive beak half open and submerged bottom part to trap fish, mollusks, insects, etc. The black skimmer doesn’t migrate but rather rotate around the Pantanal following the rain and wetlands. They lay eggs in sandy river banks (as you can see one sitting on the eggs) and fiercely defend them when approached.


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