|
Diving birds,there are 168 families of birds and only 10 of those bird families are divers
share webbed feet and bones that were meant to endure tremendous water pressure, along with waterproof feathers. Most species will dive only in the upper few meters of the water column and most, plunge, or swim after will stay under the water for about three minutes. Murres and cormorants are examples of these fish-eating birds. There are 168 families of birds and only 10 of those bird families are divers. Ducks, geese, penguins, pelicans, and swans are the most well-known species of diving birds. The term seabird refers to those diving birds associated with marine habitats.
Penguins, like marine animals, can dive beneath the water to catch fish, but must return to the surface to breathe.They will feed on krill, fish and sometimes, squid. With a streamlined body, waterproof feathers, and a specialized fat layer, penguins are adept swimmers under water. They can reach speeds up to 9 miles per hour! Penguins usually dive into the shallower depths to catch their prey, but a few species of penguin, such as the King and Emperor penguins, have been known to dive to depths of 1700 feet! They are able to stay under the water for anywhere between 7 to 15 minutes at one time.
Members of the auk family, puffins and razorbills utilize wind power for diving. They flap their stiff wings, (which resemble flippers), and dive under water to great depths, pursuing fish and other quarry. Some records show that auks are capable of diving to depths of up to 500 feet. The auk inhabits cooler northern waters, as their method of pursuit diving serves them well when the fish swim at a slower pace.
Cormorants and American white pelicans are two more examples of diving birds. They travel in flocks with up to 100 other birds and can eat nearly 3 pounds of fish each, every day! They'll visit a pond until they have completely eaten all of the fish that it contains. If they are hunting for food in a lake, they'll mostly pursue large schools of shad, but will also eat game fish and forage fish. The cormorant and American white pelican migrate to the North each summer and to the South each winter.
The common loon is a diving bird and known for being an excellent swimmer as well. The loon will plummet into the water, and then use its large, webbed feet to propel itself the rest of the way, sometimes to depths of 200 feet. Their bodies also lend themselves to diving, as their wings can be held tightly at their sides.
The Anhinga, a genus of aquatic bird, is related to the pelican. They are unique in that they use their bills and long, straight necks to actually spear fish under the water. They can be found in the United States Gulf states, the Carolinas, and in the Tropics.
The osprey spots its prey while flying above the water anywhere from 32 to 131 feet in the air. The osprey hovers briefly over the water and then plunges feet first into the water. The osprey will go down about three feet to catch fish. The osprey can dive quickly or take more time to catch a faster, surface fish.
|
