10 October 2012

DIVE DIVE DIVE!!!




Photo by Ben Osborne from ARKiVE

The Imperial Shag (Phalacrocorax atriceps) is a sea bird resident of Sub-Antarctic islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. These sea birds are known to feed on fish, crustaceans, squid and other benthic invertebrates.  During feeding, it dives up to depths of 200 feet (60 meters), and as such, it is referred to as the “superbird” by enthusiasts.


Check out this video shot in Punta Leon, Argentina, where this behavior was documented by the Wildlife Conservation Society in December 2011. The sea bird dove 150 feet (45.72 in meters) in 40 seconds, just to catch a fish! On the surface, that’s just like jumping from a 13-story building down to the ground. Aren’t these birds talented? They use their physiology and environmental factors to feed and provide for their young!



Written by:
Patricia Yap
Research Assistant
The SeaLifeBase Project

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