> Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2010 12:32:51 -0800
> From: Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson at comcast.net>
> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Bufflehead underwater
> Kelly,
>
> Diving birds have to swim underwater with the feet exactly opposed. They are moved rapidly but over a fairly short stroke. I can envision them turning slow somersaults underwater if the feet were paddled below them, and I think they get much more power by opposing the feet and moving them in unison. The only exception I know of is in guillemots, which may paddle with their feet for short-distance propulsion while mainly swimming with their wings underwater.
>
> One of the thrilling things of birding to me is seeing diving birds underwater. I wish I could see it a lot more often. I've always thought there should be underwater viewing chambers where diving birds are common. Maybe at the Seattle Aquarium with feeding stations?
>

If you visit the Aquarium around 11am most days there is a public
feeding of the Alcids, accompanied by a brief talk. The feeding is
usually a broadcast of krill and small fish and maybe squid (all
previously frozen). The diet is augmented with a vitamin paste to
make up for thiamin loss which is common to frozen fish.

Very occasionally we're able to feed live fish to the birds and that
is a real treat to watch -- the birds become excited and they
carefully hunt around the rocks at the bottom of the exhibit to flush
out hiding fish. I've given the birds their normal diet a day after
one of the live feedings and have observed them hunt as though there
were live fish hiding; this behavior change wears off after a couple
of days.

This is an 'off-schedule' event so you won't find it posted on the
public signboards at the Aquarium. Sometimes there will be a
different feeding schedule (part of the enrichment plan) but most of
the time the feeding will happen around 11, plus or minus a half hour.

Neil
(Wednesday morning bird volunteer at the Aquarium)