White-bellied sea eagles are known to swim when necessary, although they do not dive underwater. These large birds of prey use their wings and feet to propel themselves through the water.
How White Bellied Sea Eagles Use Their Wings to Swim
White-bellied sea eagles have been observed swimming by using a breaststroke motion with their wings. They paddle their wings in a circular motion, similar to how a person would swim using the breaststroke. This wing-powered swimming allows them to move across the water’s surface and catch fish or other prey that may be near the surface.
How White Bellied Sea Eagles Use Their Feet to Swim
Image source: bellied sea eagle by shankar s
In addition to using their wings, white-bellied sea eagles also use their feet to help propel themselves through the water. They use their large, webbed feet to kick and push themselves forward, similar to how a person would use their feet to swim. This combination of wing and foot movements allows the eagles to swim efficiently and effectively.
Reasons Why White Bellied Sea Eagles Swim
White-bellied sea eagles primarily swim when they need to cross bodies of water or when they are hunting for prey near the water’s surface. They may also swim to reach carrion or other food sources that are located in the water. Additionally, these eagles have been observed swimming to escape predators or to move to a new hunting location.
Limitations of White Bellied Sea Eagles’ Swimming Abilities
While white-bellied sea eagles are skilled swimmers, they do not dive underwater to catch prey. They are limited to hunting and feeding within 1 km of the shoreline, as they cannot take advantage of the thermals that are present over land. Additionally, their swimming is primarily limited to the surface of the water, as they do not have the ability to submerge themselves fully.
Comparison of White Bellied Sea Eagles’ Swimming to Other Birds
Compared to other birds, white-bellied sea eagles have a unique swimming style that combines the use of their wings and feet. Other birds, such as penguins and cormorants, are known to dive underwater to catch prey, while white-bellied sea eagles rely on their surface-level hunting and swimming abilities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, white-bellied sea eagles are skilled swimmers that use a combination of wing and foot movements to propel themselves through the water. They primarily swim to cross bodies of water, hunt for prey near the surface, or reach food sources located in the water. While they are limited in their ability to dive underwater, their swimming skills allow them to be successful hunters and scavengers in their coastal and near-coastal habitats.
References:
- The Peregrine Fund. White-bellied Sea-eagle. Retrieved from https://peregrinefund.org/explore-raptors-species/eagles/white-bellied-sea-eagle
- The Australian Museum. White-bellied Sea-Eagle. Retrieved from https://australian.museum/learn/animals/birds/white-bellied-sea-eagle/
- Carnivora. White-bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster). Retrieved from https://carnivora.net/white-bellied-sea-eagle-haliaeetus-leucogaster-t2369.html
- Wikipedia. White-bellied sea eagle. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-bellied_sea_eagle.
