Birds under Water 1 - Dabblers

A series on birds at Halibut Point with diverse adaptations

to finding food below the water surface:

Dabblers, Plungers, Divers, and Pursuers.

Brant in Folly Cove

Considering the abundance of life in the waters of the earth, it should not be surprising that birds have sought out its food potential. 

Brant eating sea lettuce

From their origins as creatures of the land and the air some species have developed anatomy and lifestyles to harvest sustenance from aqueous environments.

Dabbling Mallards

Beyond wading in search for food, a significant variety of birds have enhanced their waterproofing, foot and bill structures to swim on the water surface and reach below in search of food sources.

American Wigeon (top) with a Mallard pair

Mallard ducks are the commonest and emblematic local dabblers. Searching among Mallards may reveal cohabitating species.

Female Mallard with Green-winged Teal

The dabblers are generally found in shallow water. They tend to have a rounder shape and float more buoyantly than waterfowl that rely on diving for food.