Which bird has the longest lower bill?

[dancinec]

The Skimmer! A unique species with a distinctive set of bills. The bird is often seen flying low over the water just skimming the surface of the water with the elongated lower bill. The lower bill is designed to create a visual interest to fishes, a second pass often nets a curious fish. As it flies its head is always lower than its tail.

1. This first shot was taken some time ago, but shows the flying behavior and the whites are a little blown.

http://www.pbase.com/dancinec/image/62727333.jpg

2. I took this on Tuesday, my luck the sun is always on the wrong side.

http://www.pbase.com/dancinec/image/75382060.jpg

3. Here is an example of their flight behavior.

http://www.pbase.com/dancinec/image/75382149.jpg

[seanm]

They certainly are unique birds! Great action captures Dennis.

[canonloader]

I use to love watching these guys, and always hoping they didn't hit a rock. :)

[hTr]

Man that would be a shock to hit a fish at 20 MPH with your beak,

Nice action shot Dennis

[philc123]

Re: Which bird has the longest lower bill?

The skimmer of course!

Great shots:)

[kr88]

Wow! Nice series...I don't think I have ever seen these before. Love the action in these, especially the timing in the first shot...Nice!

[bromm]

Serious underbite happening here, Great shots Dennis, Wish we had them here.

[Gary Fairhead]

Nice series on a bird I would really like to see and photograph. Nice!

[inthedeck]

Very nice. Never even knew these existed. Boy, do I have lots to learn about different species of birds. You have displayed these well. Thanks for sharing.

[DonE]

Cool pics of a cool looking bird. Great series.

[Reyno]

Excellent action captures Dennis.

[ZipDude66]

One very unique bird along with some very good photography.

Zip
Wild66.com

[downywp]

Nothing more cool than to see a Skimmer skimming, they are so graceful in flight! Thanks for posting these, they remind me summer is not far away!:)

[dancinec]

Thanks to all who took the time to comment. The skimmers in San Diego have become more common over the years. When I first took notice of these birds about 40 years ago, they were occasional visitors to our bays. The first recorded Skimmer in San Diego was 1962 and tens years later breeding was confirmed. Now, they have become more abundant. This is just one of two flocks of skimmers on the same shoreline in the bay.

http://www.pbase.com/dancinec/image/75430235.jpg

[dazzlebea]

Certainly not a pretty bird. Nice shots though :)

[dancinec]

Certainly not a pretty bird. Nice shots though :)
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I think there are pretty neat, maybe a little homely.

[Sindri Skulason]

Very good series. :-)

[Anke]

I love these birds but always grimmace when they skim like that, I wonder if they have nerves about hitting rocks?

[KTollig]

Great stuff well done and thx for sharing

[Anthony J Howe]

Terrific series Dennis and photographed well. Good to see a close-up of the elongated lower bill of the skimmer, nice ones, well done.

[Blue Deuce]

I stumbled across some of these the other day and watched them forever.

Good job on these.

[JimLittle]

Wonderful shots, but they make me nervous as I'm thinking they're gonna hit something as they skim!!