What is "black skimmer"

Cutwater \Cut"wa`ter\ (k[u^]t"w[add]`t[~e]r), n. (Naut.)

1. The fore part of a ship's prow, which cuts the water.

2. A starling or other structure attached to the pier of a bridge, with an angle or edge directed up stream, in order better to resist the action of water, ice, etc.; the sharpened upper end of the pier itself.

3. (Zo["o]l.) A sea bird of the Atlantic ( Rhynchops nigra); -- called also black skimmer, scissorsbill, and razorbill. See Skimmer.

The black skimmer (Rynchops niger) is a tern-like seabird, one of three very similar birds species in the skimmer family. It breeds in North and South America. Northern populations winter in the warmer waters of the Caribbean and the tropical and subtropical Pacific coasts, but the South American races make only shorter movements in response to annual floods which extend their feeding areas in the river shallows.