Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis)

Other Names (World)
Indian Skimmer, Scissorbill

Family
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, Skimmers)

Size
40 - 45 cm

First Described (Guide)
Swainson, 1838

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.

Range (Guide)

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.

Population
Estimated population is 6,000 - 10,000 (2010) and decreasing.

Status VU
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

Voice
Xeno-Canto Sound Files (more (1)...)

Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) [XC461586]
by id from Jaitpur Chambal, Dhaulpur, Madhya Pradesh, India (call)

Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) [XC460113]
by Rapha\u00ebl Jordan 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.

No subspecies.

References
See References.

Files:

JPG files for Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) - 10 files

More Information

BirdLife International

For more information about the Indian Skimmer see... Show Articles

BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

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