Markie pondered:

>Suppose a bird like a robin or sparrow (we were actually discussing
>parrots) miscalculated, or perhaps got distracted by some attractive
>bird of the opposite sex, and made a nice landing in the middle of a
>lake rather than terra firma. Let's assume the bird is healthy. Would it
>swim (and how would it manage to do that) or fly away (would it be able
>to fly from the water's surface)?

I've seen "terrestrial" birds, including rock doves and bald eagles(!),
"swim" to shore by flapping their wings vigorously, propelling themselves
across the surface.

>Any ideas on the outcome?

The birds I've seen made it to shore; if it was the middle of the Gulf of
Mexico, well...


Eric Kraig
Olympia, WA
kraig at wln.com