![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66daad975609f.jpg)
![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d87f8b39cfb.jpg)
![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d89c3e7fea6.jpg)
![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d8813b02804.jpg)
![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d881bfa88dc.jpg)
![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d88228859b6.jpg)
![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d882e8053af.jpg)
![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d883423daa5.jpg)
![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d883c038c8e.jpg)
![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d8849737c8c.jpg)
![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d8851472e8d.jpg)
![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d885c2cd0e1.jpg)
![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d890d7c321d.jpg)
![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d8911db587e.jpg)
![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d896f926ad0.jpg)
![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d886147f04f.jpg)
![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d886a62c2c7.jpg)
![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d8979a0bf8f.jpg)
![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d8af1be0ed3.jpg)
![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d8894ce9848.jpg)
![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d88997dfd1e.jpg)
![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d8947bc628b.jpg)
![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d88722ea30e.jpg)
![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d891f57f702.jpg)
![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d8929e3785e.jpg)
![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d8931c62f52.jpg)
![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d893b9ae997.jpg)
![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d89549e2138.jpg)
![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d8961080064.jpg)
![Birds that dive for their dinner](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65d8969a9b0dd.jpg)
See Also
See Again
© Shutterstock
0 / 30 Fotos
Gannets
- Gannets are among the birdworld's supreme divers. They fish by diving into the sea from heights of up to 100 ft (30 m), achieving speeds of 60 mph (100 km/h) while doing so. And if they misjudge their strike, they'll often pursue prey underwater. Pictured is a northern gannet.
© Shutterstock
1 / 30 Fotos
Pelicans
- Pelicans are equally adept at diving for their dinner. The bird's long beaks and large throat pouches are ideally suited for catching fish. And some species have huge appetites. The great white pelican (pictured) has been recorded taking fish up to 4.1 lbs (1,850 g).
© Shutterstock
2 / 30 Fotos
Penguins
- Penguins are superbly adapted to aquatic life. Their wings have evolved to become flippers, which enable them to achieve impressive speeds submerged. They hunt on the go, catching prey with their bills and swallowing it whole while swimming.
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
Cormorants
- Cormorants enjoy an ocean harvest of small eels, fish, and even water snakes. They enter the water by making a characteristic half-jump as they dive, which gives them a more streamlined profile. After dinner, cormorants are frequently seen holding their wings out in the sun.
© Shutterstock
4 / 30 Fotos
Puffin
- The puffin is a species of auk and excels at hunting underwater. The birds are distinct in their ability to hold several (sometimes over a dozen) small fish at a time, crosswise in their colorful bill. Pictured is an Atlantic puffin.
© Shutterstock
5 / 30 Fotos
Grebes
- Grebes mostly fish in freshwater, though some species opt for a seafood menu in a marine habitat. Grebe species also differ in their feeding ecology. Those with large spear-like bills tend to dive for mid-depth fish, while those with short and stout bills have a preference for catching small aquatic invertebrates. Pictured is a great crested grebe.
© Getty Images
6 / 30 Fotos
Loons
- Loons are aquatic birds that are happy in saline as well as freshwater environments. Given the chance, though, they'll opt to fish in a clear freshwater lake because they can more easily spy on their prey.
© Shutterstock
7 / 30 Fotos
Common murre
- The common murre is a large auk and an amazing pursuit-diver. They maneuver well underwater and can plunge to depths of 100–195 ft (30–60 m).
© Shutterstock
8 / 30 Fotos
Kingfishers
- The kingfisher family numbers 116 species, most blessed with colorful and striking plumage. They are specialist hunters, usually launching themselves from an exposed perch when a prey item is observed and swooping down to snatch it at lightning speed before returning to the same perch. Pictured is the common kingfisher.
© Shutterstock
9 / 30 Fotos
Black skimmer
- The black skimmer is included in this list because while this gull species doesn't actually enter the water to catch prey, it does the next best thing by flying low over the water's surface with the lower mandible skimming the water for small fish. Clever, eh?
© Shutterstock
10 / 30 Fotos
Smew
- Not all ducks are dabbling ducks. That is, those duck species that dip their head underwater and upend their bottoms while feeding on seeds, grains, plants, insects, and worms. Instead, there are other species, for example the smew, who dive for a living.
© Shutterstock
11 / 30 Fotos
Lesser scaup
- There are 16 species of diving duck. They are found in freshwater habitats such as lakes, ponds, and rivers. Pictured is the lesser scaup. The origin of the name scaup may stem from the bird's preference for feeding on scalp—the Scottish word for clams, oysters, and mussels.
© Shutterstock
12 / 30 Fotos
Common pochard
- The common pochard is another diving duck. This species feeds on plant material, small fish, mollusks, and other aquatic invertebrates.
© Shutterstock
13 / 30 Fotos
Tufted duck
- Similarly, the tufted duck feeds mainly by diving, seeking out mollusks, aquatic insects, and some plants. Interestingly, this species will often feed at night.
© Shutterstock
14 / 30 Fotos
Long-tailed duck
- Contrary to their name, sea ducks, while totally at home on the ocean, are also found in freshwater habitats. Sea duck species number around 21 globally, including the long-tailed duck. Although it feeds close to the surface, this beautiful bird is capable of diving to depths of 200 ft (60 m).
© Shutterstock
15 / 30 Fotos
Surf scoter
- The Pacific and Atlantic coasts are the surf scoter's preferred hunting grounds, where it feeds on aquatic invertebrates. But this sea duck species can also be found inland during the breeding season, foraging in freshwater habitats.
© Shutterstock
16 / 30 Fotos
King eider
- The majestic king eider spends most of its time at sea in coastal marine ecosystems, diving for mollusks, crustaceans like king crabs, sea urchins, starfish, and sea anemones. But like the scoter, it too will venture inland during the breeding season to forage in freshwater habitats.
© Shutterstock
17 / 30 Fotos
Common merganser
- The common merganser is a skilled diver with a hearty appetite. In addition to fish, it will take a wide range of other aquatic prey such as mollusks, crustaceans, worms, insect larvae, and small amphibians.
© Shutterstock
18 / 30 Fotos
Common goldeneye
- Another sea duck that's also at home on lakes and rivers, the common goldeneye forages underwater for crustaceans, aquatic insects, and mollusks. It will also snack on fish eggs and aquatic plants.
© Getty Images
19 / 30 Fotos
Bufflehead
- The bufflehead is so named for its oddly bulbous head shape. In fact, the English name is a combination of buffalo and head. In shallow saltwater these ducks will feed predominantly on crustaceans and mollusks. Their freshwater menu lists a variety of insects.
© Shutterstock
20 / 30 Fotos
Rhinoceros auklet
- This seabird is a close relative of the puffin and will dive to considerable depths to snare fish, with some krill and squid taken as side dishes. It's named for the 'horn' protruding from its bill.
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
Razorbill
- Likewise, the razorbill is so named for the edges of its hooked upper beak, which are very sharp. A member of the auk family, razorbills dive deep into the sea in pursuit of mid-water schooling fish such as herring.
© Shutterstock
22 / 30 Fotos
Little auk
- The little auk calls the frigid waters of the High Arctic home. Submerged, they gobble up voluminous amounts of crustaceans, especially copepods. Incidentally, the great auk was hunted to extinction in the mid-19th century. Speaking of which, a 2023 article in Science News warned that birds that dive may be at greater risk of extinction because of their highly specialized bodies and behaviors that facilitate diving. These substantial morphological adaptations mean that diving birds may literally become trapped in their ways, especially if their habitat rapidly changes in some negative way.
© Getty Images
23 / 30 Fotos
Light-mantled albatross
- While most albatross species feed by either scavenging or surface seizing squid, fish, and krill, the graceful light-mantled albatross regularly dives for its dinner, and can plunge below 39 ft (12 m) for the choicest cuts.
© Getty Images
24 / 30 Fotos
European shag
- A species of cormorant, the European shag is another superb swimmer, a super fast pursuit-diving seabird that feeds on a variety of fish, but predominantly on sand eels.
© Shutterstock
25 / 30 Fotos
Terns
- Terns are the ocean's stealth bombers. Indeed, most tern species hunt fish by diving, often hovering first, before plunging with deadly accuracy to pick off a tidbit under the water's surface. Pictured is a pair of little terns.
© Shutterstock
26 / 30 Fotos
Guillemots
- Guillemots are members of the auk family and fish in the open sea, either alone or in small groups. Pictured is a black guillemot about to take flight.
© Shutterstock
27 / 30 Fotos
Diving petrels
- Aptly named diving petrels are auk-like small petrels of the southern oceans. They are predominantly plankton feeders but will occasionally engage their short, powerful wings to dive deeper to take small fish and squid. Pictured is the common diving petrel.
© Shutterstock
28 / 30 Fotos
Anhinga
- The anhinga, also known as the darter or snakebird, is a large waterbird that stalks its prey underwater. Wetland fish, amphibians, and aquatic invertebrates are greedily taken. Sources: (Star Tribune) (Science News) See also: Leggy birds to keep an eye out for
© Shutterstock
29 / 30 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 30 Fotos
Gannets
- Gannets are among the birdworld's supreme divers. They fish by diving into the sea from heights of up to 100 ft (30 m), achieving speeds of 60 mph (100 km/h) while doing so. And if they misjudge their strike, they'll often pursue prey underwater. Pictured is a northern gannet.
© Shutterstock
1 / 30 Fotos
Pelicans
- Pelicans are equally adept at diving for their dinner. The bird's long beaks and large throat pouches are ideally suited for catching fish. And some species have huge appetites. The great white pelican (pictured) has been recorded taking fish up to 4.1 lbs (1,850 g).
© Shutterstock
2 / 30 Fotos
Penguins
- Penguins are superbly adapted to aquatic life. Their wings have evolved to become flippers, which enable them to achieve impressive speeds submerged. They hunt on the go, catching prey with their bills and swallowing it whole while swimming.
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
Cormorants
- Cormorants enjoy an ocean harvest of small eels, fish, and even water snakes. They enter the water by making a characteristic half-jump as they dive, which gives them a more streamlined profile. After dinner, cormorants are frequently seen holding their wings out in the sun.
© Shutterstock
4 / 30 Fotos
Puffin
- The puffin is a species of auk and excels at hunting underwater. The birds are distinct in their ability to hold several (sometimes over a dozen) small fish at a time, crosswise in their colorful bill. Pictured is an Atlantic puffin.
© Shutterstock
5 / 30 Fotos
Grebes
- Grebes mostly fish in freshwater, though some species opt for a seafood menu in a marine habitat. Grebe species also differ in their feeding ecology. Those with large spear-like bills tend to dive for mid-depth fish, while those with short and stout bills have a preference for catching small aquatic invertebrates. Pictured is a great crested grebe.
© Getty Images
6 / 30 Fotos
Loons
- Loons are aquatic birds that are happy in saline as well as freshwater environments. Given the chance, though, they'll opt to fish in a clear freshwater lake because they can more easily spy on their prey.
© Shutterstock
7 / 30 Fotos
Common murre
- The common murre is a large auk and an amazing pursuit-diver. They maneuver well underwater and can plunge to depths of 100–195 ft (30–60 m).
© Shutterstock
8 / 30 Fotos
Kingfishers
- The kingfisher family numbers 116 species, most blessed with colorful and striking plumage. They are specialist hunters, usually launching themselves from an exposed perch when a prey item is observed and swooping down to snatch it at lightning speed before returning to the same perch. Pictured is the common kingfisher.
© Shutterstock
9 / 30 Fotos
Black skimmer
- The black skimmer is included in this list because while this gull species doesn't actually enter the water to catch prey, it does the next best thing by flying low over the water's surface with the lower mandible skimming the water for small fish. Clever, eh?
© Shutterstock
10 / 30 Fotos
Smew
- Not all ducks are dabbling ducks. That is, those duck species that dip their head underwater and upend their bottoms while feeding on seeds, grains, plants, insects, and worms. Instead, there are other species, for example the smew, who dive for a living.
© Shutterstock
11 / 30 Fotos
Lesser scaup
- There are 16 species of diving duck. They are found in freshwater habitats such as lakes, ponds, and rivers. Pictured is the lesser scaup. The origin of the name scaup may stem from the bird's preference for feeding on scalp—the Scottish word for clams, oysters, and mussels.
© Shutterstock
12 / 30 Fotos
Common pochard
- The common pochard is another diving duck. This species feeds on plant material, small fish, mollusks, and other aquatic invertebrates.
© Shutterstock
13 / 30 Fotos
Tufted duck
- Similarly, the tufted duck feeds mainly by diving, seeking out mollusks, aquatic insects, and some plants. Interestingly, this species will often feed at night.
© Shutterstock
14 / 30 Fotos
Long-tailed duck
- Contrary to their name, sea ducks, while totally at home on the ocean, are also found in freshwater habitats. Sea duck species number around 21 globally, including the long-tailed duck. Although it feeds close to the surface, this beautiful bird is capable of diving to depths of 200 ft (60 m).
© Shutterstock
15 / 30 Fotos
Surf scoter
- The Pacific and Atlantic coasts are the surf scoter's preferred hunting grounds, where it feeds on aquatic invertebrates. But this sea duck species can also be found inland during the breeding season, foraging in freshwater habitats.
© Shutterstock
16 / 30 Fotos
King eider
- The majestic king eider spends most of its time at sea in coastal marine ecosystems, diving for mollusks, crustaceans like king crabs, sea urchins, starfish, and sea anemones. But like the scoter, it too will venture inland during the breeding season to forage in freshwater habitats.
© Shutterstock
17 / 30 Fotos
Common merganser
- The common merganser is a skilled diver with a hearty appetite. In addition to fish, it will take a wide range of other aquatic prey such as mollusks, crustaceans, worms, insect larvae, and small amphibians.
© Shutterstock
18 / 30 Fotos
Common goldeneye
- Another sea duck that's also at home on lakes and rivers, the common goldeneye forages underwater for crustaceans, aquatic insects, and mollusks. It will also snack on fish eggs and aquatic plants.
© Getty Images
19 / 30 Fotos
Bufflehead
- The bufflehead is so named for its oddly bulbous head shape. In fact, the English name is a combination of buffalo and head. In shallow saltwater these ducks will feed predominantly on crustaceans and mollusks. Their freshwater menu lists a variety of insects.
© Shutterstock
20 / 30 Fotos
Rhinoceros auklet
- This seabird is a close relative of the puffin and will dive to considerable depths to snare fish, with some krill and squid taken as side dishes. It's named for the 'horn' protruding from its bill.
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
Razorbill
- Likewise, the razorbill is so named for the edges of its hooked upper beak, which are very sharp. A member of the auk family, razorbills dive deep into the sea in pursuit of mid-water schooling fish such as herring.
© Shutterstock
22 / 30 Fotos
Little auk
- The little auk calls the frigid waters of the High Arctic home. Submerged, they gobble up voluminous amounts of crustaceans, especially copepods. Incidentally, the great auk was hunted to extinction in the mid-19th century. Speaking of which, a 2023 article in Science News warned that birds that dive may be at greater risk of extinction because of their highly specialized bodies and behaviors that facilitate diving. These substantial morphological adaptations mean that diving birds may literally become trapped in their ways, especially if their habitat rapidly changes in some negative way.
© Getty Images
23 / 30 Fotos
Light-mantled albatross
- While most albatross species feed by either scavenging or surface seizing squid, fish, and krill, the graceful light-mantled albatross regularly dives for its dinner, and can plunge below 39 ft (12 m) for the choicest cuts.
© Getty Images
24 / 30 Fotos
European shag
- A species of cormorant, the European shag is another superb swimmer, a super fast pursuit-diving seabird that feeds on a variety of fish, but predominantly on sand eels.
© Shutterstock
25 / 30 Fotos
Terns
- Terns are the ocean's stealth bombers. Indeed, most tern species hunt fish by diving, often hovering first, before plunging with deadly accuracy to pick off a tidbit under the water's surface. Pictured is a pair of little terns.
© Shutterstock
26 / 30 Fotos
Guillemots
- Guillemots are members of the auk family and fish in the open sea, either alone or in small groups. Pictured is a black guillemot about to take flight.
© Shutterstock
27 / 30 Fotos
Diving petrels
- Aptly named diving petrels are auk-like small petrels of the southern oceans. They are predominantly plankton feeders but will occasionally engage their short, powerful wings to dive deeper to take small fish and squid. Pictured is the common diving petrel.
© Shutterstock
28 / 30 Fotos
Anhinga
- The anhinga, also known as the darter or snakebird, is a large waterbird that stalks its prey underwater. Wetland fish, amphibians, and aquatic invertebrates are greedily taken. Sources: (Star Tribune) (Science News) See also: Leggy birds to keep an eye out for
© Shutterstock
29 / 30 Fotos
Birds that dive for their dinner
Who are the most skilled feathered freedivers?
© Shutterstock
Diving birds are unique in their deliberate habit of plunging into water in order to seize prey. And while you'd expect the penguin to be superbly adapted to hunt while submerged, there are numerous other birds that have proved themselves fantastic feathered freedivers. So which birds dive the deepest, and what do they feed on?
Click on and plunge through this list of birds that dive for their dinner.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
![The angel number of each zodiac sign](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66daea83cf3d5.jpg)
![Do you have a Sunday reset routine?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66dabb3c56bfa.jpg)
![Natural spies: Animals used in espionage](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d9cea393994.jpg)
![Miracles and a temper? Experts investigate Jesus' childhood](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66dafd980019e.jpg)
![Exploring the tree house hotel where Princess Elizabeth learned she'd be Queen](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66daf9f737929.jpg)
![The top 30 most valuable brands of 2024](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d6f050a2e93.jpg)
![Countries where bosses can't contact employees after hours](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66dae767723a3.jpg)
![The sad reality of femicide around the world](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66dace5c31b08.jpg)
![Who is the top goal scorer of all time?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66dac9cd5b549.jpg)
![The amazing life of Jane Goodall, the world's most famous primatologist](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d9c5a6523fb.jpg)
![Is tennis the world's healthiest sport?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d8347d3b5a8.jpg)
![What was the Neanderthal diet like?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d9c4ba462b7.jpg)
![Hotel red flags to avoid at all costs](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d82c7c746f7.jpg)
![The greatest surfers of all time](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d82a3991191.jpg)
![Fascinating facts you probably didn't know about the Oval Office](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66db0390a5798.jpg)
![How to optimize your break-up](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d9a0f8ccccb.jpg)
![How does tennis scoring actually work?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d82a540f53f.jpg)
![Countries that have banned X, TikTok, and Facebook](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d72124468bd.jpg)
![Outdated workplace trends to say goodbye to](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d8529e0ac2a.jpg)
![American football players who became coaches](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d59a4ede1a9.jpg)
![Experts predict a tsunami in Europe with 100% probability](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d97aef417a7.jpg)
![30 of the hottest NFL players today](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d1dfc957220.jpg)
![How your zodiac sign influences your personality traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d84e22a505a.jpg)
![Japan's trick to reverse population collapse](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d719469c392.jpg)
![Unique ways your zodiac sign sabotages romantic relationships](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d84aee582cb.jpg)
![The terrifying history of the dark web](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d84942d0d7a.jpg)
![The F1 drivers with the most pole positions ever](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d71d2095a6e.jpg)
![The fascinating spiritual meaning of your animal dreams, revealed](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d83ec1a1923.jpg)
![Are you an introvert? These are the telltale signs](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d840333af90.jpg)
![The sad reasons why some good relationships don't last](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d84195c34c0.jpg)
![Clear signs you've hit a midlife crisis](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d83d116bd09.jpg)
![Stunning pictures of the world's strangest and rarest weather phenomena](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d83c14b308e.jpg)
![These zodiac signs are the funniest](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d8329f2cd1f.jpg)
![This is why even the best players miss penalties during a shoot-out](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d82c209a643.jpg)
![Which countries have the most bald men?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d838cccf6e9.jpg)
![Decode your pup: strange dog behaviors explained](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d086ddd77a1.jpg)
MOST READ
- Last Hour
- Last Day
- Last Week