What is a "skimmer"?

A skimmer is a bird with long, narrow wings, a forked tail, and a unique bill, where the lower mandible is longer than the upper mandible. Skimmers use this specialized bill to skim the water's surface while flying, catching small fish or prey items. They are often found in colonies near water and communicate through distinctive calls. Skimmers exemplify the intriguing adaptions found in avian species.