Diving birds are those that forage for food underwater, either by swimming down or plunging in from the air. They have adaptations like webbed feet, waterproof feathers, and streamlined bodies to help them dive efficiently.
How Do These Birds Dive
Diving birds employ various techniques to forage underwater based on their physical features and related factors.
Foot-propelled Diving Birds — They typically leap from ledges near the water, using their powerful legs and webbed feet to propel themselves forward. Their streamlined bodies are built for efficient movement in water.
Wing-propelled Diving Birds —They use their wings to swim and chase prey underwater. This technique is employed by both flightless (penguins) and flying birds (dippers).
Plunge Diving Birds —They dive from the air into the water, transitioning swiftly from flying to swimming. To perform these risky maneuvers, they are equipped with long beaks, strong neck muscles, and wings that change shape mid-dive. Due to the physical demands and higher risk of injury, they dive less frequently than the other two.
From Alaska and California in the United States to Hokkaidō and Honshū, Japan
South Georgia Diving-petrel
Upto 160
The sub-Antarctic regions
Black Guillemot
Upto 140
Arctic regions of the North Atlantic
Pigeon Guillemot
Upto 140
In the North Pacific, from Siberia to western North America
Cassin’s Auklet
Upto 130
From the Baja California peninsula to Alaska’s Aleutian Islands
Snares Penguin
Upto 130
Snares Islands, New Zealand
American Dipper
Upto 20
Western and central North America, from Panama to Alaska
Magellanic Diving-petrel
Upto 10
Southern South America, including southern Chile, Argentina, and the Tierra del Fuego peninsula
Species
Depths They Reach (ft)
Where They Are Found
Plunge
Above Water
Underwater
Northern Gannet
From 230
Upto 195
North Atlantic
Osprey
From 131
Upto 3.3
Worldwide
Blue-footed Booby
From 100
Upto 80
Throughout eastern Pacific Ocean from California to the Galápagos Islands south into Peru
Brown Pelican
From 70
Upto 10
Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific Coasts in the Americas
Brown Booby
From 50
Upto 7
Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea
Belted Kingfisher
From 33
Upto 3
North America
Common Tern
From 20
Upto 2
Northern Hemisphere
Common Kingfisher
From 7
Upto 1
Europe, Asia, and North Africa
FAQs
1. What’s the deepest-diving bird?
The Emperor Penguin holds the record as the deepest-diving bird, capable of reaching depths of up to 1,800 feet while swimming at speeds of 15 km/h.
2. How long can diving birds stay underwater?
The ability to hold their breath underwater varies among bird species. For example, ducks can manage for about a minute, while Emperor Penguins can hold their breath for around half an hour.
3. Why do diving birds dive straight down to catch prey?
Refraction at the water’s surface can cause birds to misjudge the position of their prey when targeting it at an angle. By diving straight down, birds minimize this effect, increasing their chances of successfully capturing their prey.
