# African Skimmer

> The African skimmer is a tern-like bird whose lower bill is longer than the upper. It feeds by flying low with the lower bill slicing through the water. On the Nile in Murchison Falls it rests and nests on exposed sandbars.

Source: https://nilesafarilodge.com/wildlife/african-skimmer

Bird · Migratory

*Rynchops flavirostris*

## In brief

The African skimmer is a tern-like bird whose lower bill is longer than the upper. It feeds by flying low with the lower bill slicing through the water. On the Nile in Murchison Falls it rests and nests on exposed sandbars.

## How to identify the African skimmer

Black above and white below, with very long wings and a large orange-red bill, the lower half clearly longer than the upper.

## Where to see the African skimmer in Murchison Falls National Park

On sandbars in the Nile and in the delta, from a boat. Whether it is present depends on water levels.

## Habitat

Broad rivers and lakes with calm water and bare sandbanks.

## What the African skimmer eats

Small fish caught at the surface.

## Behaviour

It skims mostly at dusk, dawn and on calm days, snapping the bill shut when it touches a fish. It nests in loose colonies in scrapes on open sand, so it depends on low water.

## Best time to see the African skimmer

When sandbars are exposed, mostly in the drier months. Migrant within Africa.

Last reviewed 5 October 2026. Further reading: [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_skimmer).

## At a glance

- **Scientific name**: Rynchops flavirostris
- **Family**: Laridae (gulls, terns and skimmers)
- **Presence**: Migrant within Africa
- **Best time to see it**: When sandbars are exposed, mostly in the drier months
- **Chance of seeing it**: Seen with some luck
- **Size**: About 38 cm long
- **Conservation status**: Least Concern (IUCN Red List)

Seen on

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## Questions about the African skimmer

### Why is the African skimmer's lower bill longer?

It feeds by flying just above the surface with the lower bill in the water. When the bill touches a fish it snaps shut.

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