What are the features of the Indian skimmer?

          The Indian skimmer is a large bird, around 40 cm in length with wings capable of extending more than a metre. Its body is covered with black -and-white feathers, while its huge bill is coloured red and yellow.

          These birds are found in groups, mostly around fresh water habitats, like large rivers and lakes. They usually perch on sandbars and islands, from where they can go hunting small fishes, shelled creatures and insect larvae in the nearby waters. Their hunting strategy is peculiar. They fly rapidly in groups over the surface of water, with their lower jaw being dragged through water to seize the prey. They prefer doing this during dusks because they are nocturnal birds. Their eggs are laid on bare sand.

          Once, these birds were very common in the Indian subcontinent and Myanmar. But loss of habitat, pollution and human interference pose serious threat to their existence. With just around 6,000-10,000 birds found in India and Pakistan this species are now globally threatened. The IUCN has classified this bird as ‘vulnerable’.