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Frigatebirds can't float in water (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter KC Foggin
- Start date
That's what I read before visiting the Dry Tortugas several years ago. On the boat trip there saw on a couple of occasions single birds happily resting on the water for extended periods.
Hi Jim, what did the guides say about that?
Several years ago I was taken to the colony in Barbuda where we met a young researcher. At the time, we were told the same. We were also told that sometimes, birds situated in the mangrove bushes would grab a bird that had ended up in the water below and help with pulling the bird up of the water - but the researcher was not sure that actually happens. She did not question that they get heavy if landing in water!
Where I live (14 years), I see Frigates on an almost daily basis and I have never seen one land on water.
Niels
Several years ago I was taken to the colony in Barbuda where we met a young researcher. At the time, we were told the same. We were also told that sometimes, birds situated in the mangrove bushes would grab a bird that had ended up in the water below and help with pulling the bird up of the water - but the researcher was not sure that actually happens. She did not question that they get heavy if landing in water!
Where I live (14 years), I see Frigates on an almost daily basis and I have never seen one land on water.
Niels
MJB
Well-known member
A long shot, Jim, but did you actually mean to refer to Tropicbirds, which commonly do rest on the water at the Dry Tortugas....?
MJB
MJB
Well-known member
Thanks, Jim. My question was based on the older informal name of 'Man-o'-war' Bird' for Tropicbirds, 'frigate' and 'man-o'-war' both being 18th-century mariners' terms for warships, and my own experience of hearing people confuse the two terms when applying them to the birds!
MJB
Here's what that old standby BNA-online has to say on the subject (in its article on the Magnificent Frigatebird)--
"This species lacks waterproof plumage and is rarely, if ever, seen to sit on the water. While adept in the air, frigatebirds have short legs and small feet, and never walk or swim."
So, evidently very unusual but not absolutely unheard of.
"This species lacks waterproof plumage and is rarely, if ever, seen to sit on the water. While adept in the air, frigatebirds have short legs and small feet, and never walk or swim."
So, evidently very unusual but not absolutely unheard of.
dantheman
Bah humbug
Whilst not waterproof, they may be able to withstand a certain amount of waterlogging and still be able to take off? (athough admittedly they're not really designed for a good take-off either in the wing department).
(Ptarmigan (or whatever grouse species it was) on the other hand ... )
(Ptarmigan (or whatever grouse species it was) on the other hand ... )
dantheman
Bah humbug
I think that it must be possible because the feathers (and especially downy underfeathers) naturally trap air and resist waterlogging (perhaps in addition to some natural oils used to keep them in good condition).
Tried looking for that link for Ptarmigan on the sea around a boat in Alaska (?) but couldn't find it unfortunately.
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Just to illustrate the point about small feet: http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=265585
Frigates are know for having a very small wing loading, so small weight relative to their wings. With a slight wind, they do not need any length of anything to take off, they just stretch out their wings, pull down a little and they are airborne from e.g., a bush.
How that would work when sitting on water I do not know.
Niels
Frigates are know for having a very small wing loading, so small weight relative to their wings. With a slight wind, they do not need any length of anything to take off, they just stretch out their wings, pull down a little and they are airborne from e.g., a bush.
How that would work when sitting on water I do not know.
Niels
Nutcracker
Stop Brexit!
Not just very small, but also barely webbed at all (think I can see a little between the base of the toes?).
Wonder if perhaps they sometimes drop onto water to wash / bathe, where they are close to land and know they can easily perch to dry off afterward?
Nutcracker
Stop Brexit!
Same here, and also once, Woodpigeon too. Conclusion: pigeons can swim quite well.
