Skimgulls

Skimgulls (despumolarumidae) are descended from seagulls. They are found around the coasts of the Mediterranean, Europe, and Africa. There are four genera, one is found in the North Atlantic stormraft fleets.

Biology

Skimgulls are small to average sized birds. They are 1.5 feet long and have a wingspan of 2.5 feet. Their wings are built for soaring along the waves. The only difference between males and females is that the top of the male's heads are black with a black swoop going across their eyes. Their wings are a dark gray, the rest of the body is light gray and the beak is yellow. They coat their feathers with a waterproof oil that comes from a gland on their tail to stay dry.

Skimgulls are not good at swimming, so instead they skim for fish. They soar over the water and stick the bottom of their beak in the water and fly until they can grab something. Their beaks have a small, fleshy pouch to fit larger fish inside their mouth. The lower beak is slightly larger than the top beak. Beaks have small notches in the side so as to not scoop up mouthfuls of water while feeding and to make feeding a stealthier ordeal.

Behavior

Skimgulls nest on high cliffsides near the water or in the case of raft skimgulls, the highest point they can find in the middle of the ocean. During their mating season the females will watch as the males fly over the water and joust against each other with their beaks. Whoever flies the best and knocks his opponent out of the sky will get the mate.