Carol DM
Common birds that dive from the air include gulls, pelicans, gannets and terns. Birds that dive from the surface of the water include loons, grebes, cormorants and certain species of ducks. Penguins are also divers.
Birds primarily dive into or under the water to catch food. Surface diving birds usually eat underwater plants, fish or shellfish. Most of those species have legs further in the back to help propel them through the water.
Birds that dive from the air usually eat fish. They protect their heads and necks by flexing them depending on the speed and angle of the dive.
I love watching the puffins on the Nat Geo documentaries. Have never seen one in person, but they, along with penguins and eagles are my favorites. The American bald eagle’s (photo courtesy of Nat Geo) diet consists of 60 to 90 percent fish.
I will write more about each bird as time allows.
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Ever seen a bird catch or dive for a fish?
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Yes
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1. Yes
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2. No
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This is something I would like to get a picture of, the perfect dive and the catch.
Me too Dawn, they are so fast, it would take a lot of patience.
so cool! I am on a quest to capture this in person!
amazing picture, thanks for the fact’s – two types of fishing birds so cool!!!!
I would love to take credit for the photo, wow! I am sure Elenka has seen many of the birds I do not, since she is by the sea. Gulls, pelicans, gannets, terns, loons, grebes, cormorants and certain species of ducks. Penguins are divers. 🙂
i want to capture an Osprey pulling a fish from the bay – that is my goal!!!
I have never seen a bird diving to catch a fish. Normally, I have seen eagles trying to catch chickens. In such times, I usually pick a stone to avoid that incident. I read eagles are strong enough to capture small animals like kittens.
I have but it was from a distance, they are so quick. Yes that is true about eagles.
I have seen this on National Geographic Channel
I always learn something form Nat Geo. Thanks for your comment!
I love the photo. In Latvia, I saw a gull get a fish out of the river
Nat Geo is the best. I would love to see this in person. They are so fast.
I am always interested in bird topics. I enjoy watching videos of the puffins too.
You know I am as well. No living close to water, these were mostly new to me. Gotta love the penguins and puffins.
Stunning bird. I’ve never seen a bird catch fish.
The bald eagles are so majestic.
I have seen and taken pictures of seagulls and herons fishing.Great post
I know you have many fish by the sea. Thanks!