A Water Ouzel Uses Wings in Swimming
A Water Ouzel Uses Wings in Swimming
The interesting note by Charles W. Michael (Condor, vol. 40; 1938, pp. 185-186) on the habits of the Ouzel elicits the following. Like Mr. Michael, I had frequently seen in print the statement that the Ouzel (Cinclus mexicanus) uses its wings in swimming under water, and therefore when I saw an Ouzel swimming under water in what was, to me, the expected fashion, it did not seem especially-noteworthy. The individual in question was a young bird, just out of the nest, and it was unable to fly more than a few feet. I made an effort to capture the bird with a landing net, and in its successful efforts to escape it walked on the bottom, swam on the surface (feet only), and also swam under water, always in the latter case using its wings, apparently to good effect. The wing strokes were slow enough to distinguish easily, and I should guess were made at a rate not far from two a second. The wings were extended only part why, apparently much less than in aerial tllght. The observation was made in the Elwha River in Washington, and part of the time the bird was in a pool of clear water 18 inches to 2 feet deep with a very moderate current. I was part of the time standing directly over the bird which swam (with its wings) within inches of my feet. I did not note down, and do not recall, whether or not it used its legs while it was using its wings. There is the possibility that this action was that of a young bird, but I suspect it was rather characteristic of a desperate one. Perhaps Mr. Michael’s example that failed to use its wings was exhibiting the normal, undisturbed behavior of the species.
Other birds that I have seen use their wings under water when hard pressed by danger are a downy young Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macurlaria), Pintails (Dafila acute), and Baldpates (Marecu americana). The sandpiper did not seem to get any appreciable help from its wings, which were spread out and fluttered, nevertheless. The ducks of both species were suffering from botulism and could not fly, though they were otherwise active. Other Pintails and Baldpates, at the same time and place, and under the same conditions of illness and terrain used their feet only in escaping under water.
I have had excellent views through strong binoculars of Pigeon Guillemots (Cephus columba) and murrelets swimming under water in Deception Pass, Washington, under a highway bridge. They were undisturbed and appeared to be feeding, and they invariably used their wings.
E. Raymond Hall
Santa Barbara, California, September 1, 1938
