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Black Skimmer
Rynchops niger
34.1857, -77.8139
Field Notes
Description:
Chick of the Black Skimmer species. The Black Skimmer is the largest of the three skimmer species. It measures 40–50 cm (16–20 in) long with a 107–127 cm (42–50 in) wingspan.[2] This species ranges from 212 to 447 g (7.5 to 15.8 oz), with males averaging about 349 g (12.3 oz), as compared to the smaller female’s 254 g (9.0 oz).[3] The basal half of the bill is red, the rest mainly black, and the lower mandible is much-elongated. The eye has a dark brown iris and catlike vertical pupil, unique for a bird. The legs are red. The call is a barking kak-kak-kak.......
More at the wikipedia article from which this information is drawn. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Skimmer
Habitat:
On the beach at Wrightsville NC at the southern tip of the peninsula. There is a large area of the dunes which has been roped off to allow undisturbed breeding. This bird was seen there in the temporary reserve.
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