Birds That Swim Underwater
Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) The Northern Gannet is a large seabird belonging to the gannet family, Sulidae. With its striking white plumage and distinct black wingtips, this bird is a sight to behold as it soars gracefully above the open ocean. One of the most remarkable features of the Northern Gannet is its exceptional diving ability. When hunting for fish, it soars high above the water, spots its prey with keen eyesight, and then executes a stunning dive from heights of up to 130 feet (40 meters).
Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) The Atlantic Puffin, often referred to as the “clown of the sea,” is a small, stocky seabird belonging to the auk family, Alcidae. Its distinctive appearance includes a brightly colored triangular beak, with bright orange, yellow, and blue hues during the breeding season, adding to its charm. Native to the northern Atlantic Ocean, this charismatic bird is renowned for its impressive diving.
Kingfisher (Alcedinidae family) Kingfishers are a diverse group of birds belonging to the Alcedinidae family, found in various regions worldwide. These colorful and agile birds are known for their keen hunting skills, particularly their ability to dive into water bodies with pinpoint precision. The kingfisher’s diet mainly consists of fish, which it catches by perching on branches near the water’s edge, observing the movements below.
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) The Great Cormorant, also known simply as the Cormorant, is a large waterbird found across the globe, inhabiting coastal regions, lakes, and rivers. Recognizable by its dark plumage and distinctive long, hooked beak, this bird is an adept swimmer and diver. It forages for fish, eels, and crustaceans in both freshwater and saltwater habitats. To catch its prey, the Great Cormorant dives from the water’s surface and propels itself using its webbed feet.
Diving Petrel (Pelecanoididae family) Diving Petrels are a family of small seabirds known for their remarkable diving abilities. These pint-sized birds are found predominantly in the southern oceans and are well-adapted to life on the high seas. Despite their diminutive size, Diving Petrels are impressive divers, capable of plunging into the water with astonishing speed and efficiency.
Common Murre (Uria aalge) The Common Murre, also known as the Common Guillemot, is a medium-sized seabird found across the Northern Hemisphere. With its distinctive black and white plumage and slender body, the Common Murre is a remarkable diver and fish hunter. These birds often gather in vast colonies on steep cliff ledges, where they lay their eggs and raise their chicks.
Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) The Red-breasted Merganser is a striking diving duck native to North America and parts of Europe and Asia. Characterized by its vibrant reddish-brown head and long, serrated bill, this bird is perfectly equipped for underwater foraging. The Red-breasted Merganser primarily feeds on fish, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates, which it captures through skilled underwater hunts.
Australasian Gannet (Morus serrator) The Australasian Gannet is a striking seabird found in the coastal regions of Australia and New Zealand. Resembling its Northern Hemisphere counterpart, the Northern Gannet, this bird exhibits similar exceptional diving abilities. The Australasian Gannet soars above the ocean in search of schools of fish, and once it locates its prey, it executes a breathtaking plunge dive from heights of up to 130 feet (40 meters).
Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) The Harlequin Duck is a unique sea duck native to North America and parts of Russia. This small, colorful duck is known for its stunning plumage, with intricate patterns resembling a harlequin’s costume. It prefers fast-flowing rivers and coastal waters, where it forages for aquatic invertebrates, small fish, and crustaceans.
Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) The Northern Fulmar is a seabird that inhabits the cold waters of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. These birds are known for their unique foraging behavior, which involves both surface feeding and diving for prey. The Northern Fulmar’s diet consists of fish, squid, and other marine creatures, which it captures by diving into the water from flight or directly from the surface.