No.56 Common skimmer

Common skimmer is widely found throughout Japan in watery environments like ponds, marshes, and slow-flowing rivers.Males appear as if coated in a pale blue powder, and this “salt-sprinkled” body color is the origin of its name. Measuring about 5 to 6 cm in length, it swiftly darts through the air while hunting prey.

The CT scan clearly revealed the intricate structure of the thoracic muscles used for wing beating (flight muscles) and the rounded internal structure of the compound eyes.Furthermore, the abdomen is constructed to be lightweight, nearly hollow inside, aiding in maintaining balance during flight.