The Black Skimmer is like the clown of the shore birds. They have so much personality, both as adults and chicks. The unmistakable bill is used with great precision as they skim the water snapping up fish. They enjoy a wonderful family structure with a commitment and intimacy I've rarely seen in birds. Both parents raise the chicks which is a constant battle with predators always in the air and on the ground. They usually nest with other shore birds in large colonies along side Least Terns, Royal Terms and even Snowy Plovers. There is nothing like bathing in the ocean during a sunset while these birds skim past you in near silence trying to catch their prey.