Habitat
Primarily on larger, sandy, lowland rivers, around lakes and adjacent marshes in the breeding season, and, estuaries and coasts in the non-breeding season.
Bangladesh (B) (NB), Cambodia (E), China (mainland) (E), India (B), Laos (E), Myanmar (B), Nepal (B) (NB), Pakistan (B), Vietnam.
Vagrant to Iran [Islamic Republic of], Oman, Thailand.
Eastern Pakistan (R Indus) through northern and east-central India (east to Assam) to Bangladesh and western Myanmar (R Irrawaddy); also Cambodia (R Mekong). Current distribution uncertain: might also breed in Nepal and southern Laos; possibly only winter visitor to Bangladesh.
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is 6,000 - 10,000 (2010) and decreasing.
Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) [XC460113]
by Rapha\u00ebl Jordan from Jaitpur Chambal, Dhaulpur, Madhya Pradesh, India (call)
Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) [XC461586]
by id from Jaitpur Chambal, Dhaulpur, Madhya Pradesh, India (call)
Subspecies
Forms superspecies with Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) and African Skimmer (Rynchops flavirostris) with some authorities suggesting that all might be conspecific, but good evidence apparently lacking.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet