Range & Habitat:

Found throughout the state, in a variety of habitats.  One of the commonest skimmers, frequently seen late into the season.

Click on the thumbnails to enlarge additional photos. 

juv lateral (female)	juv-dorsal
female lateral	female dorsal

Description:

Males are dark blue or nearly black, with a dark face and dark stigmas.

Females and young males have a black stripe down the abdomen and a pale pattern on the side of the thorax said by various authorities to resemble a wolf's head or a parrot's head.  To me it looks nothing like those, maybe a rhinoceros head makes as much sense as anything.  This pattern is shared by Great Blue Skimmer and Bar-winged Skimmer; Great Blue has a whitish face and Bar-winged has light edges to the sides of the face.  The overall coloration of these species may be brighter as well.

Conservation Status:

Global: G5 - Secure globally, but possibly rare in parts of its range

Flight season:

Early Date: 5/15
Late Date: 10/16

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