African skimmer

Description

The African skimmer (Rynchops flavirostris) is a near-threatened species of bird belonging to the skimmer genus Rynchops in the family Laridae.It is found along rivers,lakes and lagoons in Sub-Saharan Africa.African skimmers have long wings,with a black back,hindneck,and crown.The forehead and rest of the body is white,with a bright,long,orange beak that ends with a yellow tip (black tip when immature).Their short forked tail is white,and their legs are bright red.The average size is about 38 cm (15 in) long.Their voice is a sharp "kip-kip".Their bill structure is unique;the lower mandible is much longer than the upper mandible,and is flattened sideways like scissor blades.