The Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) is one of three species of Skimmers found in the world - the other two species are found in the Americas and Africa.
The Indian Skimmer (and the other two species) have highly asymmetrical beaks, with the lower part being significantly longer than the upper section. When feeding (and unfortunately I only saw this at a distance, and going away from me) the birds slice the longer, lower part of the beak through the water. When this part of the beak strikes an object - hopefully food - the bird bends its head back to grab the object.
The Indian Simmer can be found on large rivers and lakes, swamps and coastal wetlands such as estuaries, but as is the case with many birds it is becoming rarer each year and its distribution more fragmented. Indian and Bangladesh are now the centres for the last areas where there are substantial populations.
These birds were photographed at the breeding colonies from the Chambal river area, which is a well known and relatively reliable site to observe these birds.
The Indian Skimmer is a member of the Laridae family, which means it is related to gulls, terns and noddies. The bird is about 40cm long and its bill makes it highly distinctive.
I assume that the bird that is lying flat on the gravel is 'sun-baking', probably as part of a behaviour that rids the feathers of parasites.
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