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Migration
Nature Of Migration In The Species
Northern populations (Virginia to New England) migrate south, mainly to Florida, but premigratory flocks often linger into early winter, abandoning estuaries before freezeup. Southern birds may be sedentary, may wander, or migrate to Caribbean or Central America (Clapp et al. 1983).
Timing And Routes Of Migration
See Figures 1 and 5 . Arrive near northern breeding colonies (Virginia to New England) late Apr, leave Sep–Oct, congregating in large flocks (e.g., 1,000+ at Jamaica Bay, NY, until mid-Dec) (JB, MG). Presumably migrate along the coast or offshore, probably directly to Florida. Large concentrations (up to 10,000 birds) found in N. Carolina (Oct–Nov) and Florida (up to 2,000 birds) in Dec (Clapp et al. 1983). First winter recoveries almost exclusively from Florida in winter; spring recoveries from various locations on Atlantic Coast. Young banded in Maryland recovered from S. Carolina to Florida (Stewart and Robbins 1958). Populations from the se. U.S. may move only short distances (Clapp et al. 1983).
Migratory Behavior
Species apparently migrates northward along coast in flocks of dozens to hundreds, pausing on beaches and sandbars; forms larger flocks on southward migration. Migration along coast; not found among inland tower kills or on offshore boat trips in Carolinas (D. Lee pers. comm.). Adults and young flock and migrate together. Most 1-yr-old birds do not return to breeding colonies.
Control And Physiology Of Migration
No data.
Gochfeld, Michael and Joanna Burger. 1994. Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/108
