Photo: Davidvraju / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Indian Skimmer
Rynchops albicollis
Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of South & Southeast Asia.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) is a member of the Laridae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 164 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Charadriiformes
- Family Laridae Gulls, Terns, Skimmers
- Genus Rynchops
- Species albicollis
Where it lives
Local on major rivers, now mainly north-central, east-central India, central Myanmar
Quick facts
- Weight
- 164 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Laridae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Indian Skimmer hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of rivers and riverside habitats, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Indian Skimmer is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) is a species of bird in the Laridae family, part of the order Charadriiformes. Its range spans South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR local on major rivers, now mainly nc, ec India, c Myanmar.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 164 g, with a wing length of about 37.2 cm and a tail of around 10.9 cm.
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 1.2 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Indian Skimmer?
The Indian Skimmer is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 164 g.
Where does the Indian Skimmer live?
The Indian Skimmer is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR local on major rivers, now mainly nc, ec India, c Myanmar, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Indian Skimmer belong to?
The Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) belongs to the Laridae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the Indian Skimmer eat?
The Indian Skimmer hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Indian Skimmer migrate?
The Indian Skimmer is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Indian Skimmer endangered?
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
What sound does the Indian Skimmer make?
1 real field recording of the Indian Skimmer — including its flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Indian Skimmer's range?
The Indian Skimmer has a mapped global range of about 1.2 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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