Eagles are known for their powerful talons, sharp beaks, and keen eyesight that make them expert hunters. But did you know that eagles are also capable swimmers? Their ability to swim may come as a surprise, since eagles are often associated with the sky rather than the water. However, several species have adaptations that enable them to swim efficiently when needed.
Buoyancy
One reason eagles can swim is their buoyant bodies. Their feathers and hollow bones provide natural flotation devices in water. Eagles have around 7,000 feathers, with downy under-plumage that traps air. This air trapped within an eagle’s feathers helps the bird float on the water’s surface the same way a lifejacket keeps people afloat. An eagle’s skeleton is also pneumatic, meaning the bones are hollow and filled with air pockets. This reduces the bird’s overall body weight and further contributes to an eagle’s ability to float.
While eagles are too heavy to sit directly on the water’s surface like a duck, their lightweight frames and plumage give them enough buoyancy to keep most of their bodies above water when swimming. Only their legs and feet dangle beneath the surface while the rest of the eagle remains afloat.
Oil Glands
Another aquatic adaptation eagles possess is water-resistant plumage. Eagles produce preen oil from an oil gland near their tail. They spread this oil over their feathers when preening, which coats each feather shaft. The preen oil waterproofs their plumage much like a rain jacket, preventing water from penetrating through to the skin. Thanks to their oil glands, an eagle’s feathers repel water when swimming or getting drenched from rain or spray. Water beads up and rolls off their feathers, keeping the insulating qualities of their plumage intact.
Webbed Feet
Eagles also have partially webbed feet that aid their movement in the water. While less webbed than ducks’ feet, eagles’ toes are connected by folds of skin that form small webs. When an eagle paddles in the water, the webs spread to provide a larger surface area with each kick. This allows the aquatic eagle to propel itself more effectively through the water. The webs essentially function like the fins on a snorkel or flippers on scuba diving gear, generating forward thrust with less effort.
Powerful Legs and Talons
An eagle’s strong legs and sharp talons also give it an advantage while swimming. Eagles have muscular legs to provide forceful kicks and stokes. Their powerful leg muscles allow them to paddle through the water using breaststroke or doggy paddle motions. An eagle’s talons are also useful equipment since they can act like rudders to steer the bird as it swims. Eagles can splay their toes and use their talons like a boat’s keel to maintain stability and control in the water.
Streamlined Shape
An eagle’s aerodynamic body profile reduces drag in flight but also helps the raptor glide smoothly through the water. Eagles have rounded, compact torsos and tapered tails. Their heads and necks are narrow and knife-like. This streamlined shape limits resistance as an eagle maneuvers through the water and allows it to swim efficiently.
Instinctual Ability
Swimming comes naturally to eagles thanks to their innate ability. Hatchlings can paddle and maneuver themselves immediately after leaving the nest before they are able to fly. This indicates swimming is an inborn skill eagles possess, similar to walking or grabbing prey. It is not a learned behavior that adult eagles have to teach their young. Swimming seems to be embedded in an eagle’s DNA and reflexes, allowing it to take to the water instinctively if needed.
Why Eagles Swim
With their aquatic adaptations, eagles are capable swimmers. But why would an eagle choose to take to the water rather than soar through the skies? There are several reasons why eagles will swim when given the opportunity:
Hunting and Foraging
Eagles sometimes swim in order to hunt for food. Bald eagles and African fish eagles especially are adept at snatching fish from just below the water’s surface while swimming. It allows them to sneak up on prey more stealthily than diving from the air. An eagle may also paddle out to retrieve floating food, like dead salmon or ducks, rather than flying. Swimming gives them more controlled, energy efficient access to food near shore.
Escaping Danger
Eagles may resort to swimming to escape predators on land. If a predator like a bear gets too close to an eagle on the ground, the bird can rapidly paddle out into a lake or river to flee. By taking to the water, eagles can stay safely out of reach from many would-be attackers. Eagles have even been observed playing dead in the water until an approaching threat leaves.
Conserving Energy
Sometimes eagles swim simply to conserve energy. If an eagle spots food in the water not too far from shore, it may decide to leisurely paddle out to the prey rather than expend extra effort flying. Swimming requires less energy than flying for an eagle over short distances. So they will often swim if it seems more efficient than flying in a given situation.
Bathing
Eagles will also swim and splash in the water to bathe. Bathing helps eagles clean and maintain their plumage. The water helps remove dirt, parasites and old feathers from their skin and wings. Ducking their head underwater also allows eagles to wet the feathers around their face and eyes that they can’t reach otherwise when preening.
Escaping Heat
Some eagles swim to cool off in hot weather. On blistering days, an eagle may wade or paddle into a river or lake to thermoregulate and prevent overheating. The water helps lower their body temperature when the air is too warm. Even just wetting their feet can help eagles stay comfortable in high temperatures.
Rehabilitation
Eagles in wildlife rehabilitation centers are sometimes encouraged to swim as a low-impact form of physical therapy. Swimming exercises an eagle’s muscles, joints, and range of motion without putting full weight on their legs. It can help injured eagles recover strength before being released back into the wild.
Play
Young eagles sometimes engage in play swimming as well. Fledglings will swim and splash together, perhaps to build physical skills and coordination. Swimming games may help them develop aquatic abilities in a safe setting while bonding with siblings.
Eagle Species that Swim
The eagle species most recognized for their swimming capabilities are:
Species | Description |
---|---|
Bald Eagle | Bald eagles are powerful swimmers, using their large wings as paddles. They often snatch fish from the water’s surface while swimming. Their diet relies heavily on fish, so swimming helps them hunt. |
African Fish Eagle | African fish eagles swim using their feet to paddle and wings to steer. They are specialized at catching fish while swimming. Most of their prey consists of fish snatched from lakes and rivers. |
Steller’s Sea Eagle | Steller’s sea eagles are named for their fishing habitat along seacoasts and rivers. They will swim to opportunistically grab prey like salmon but rarely dive below the surface. |
Other eagles known to swim at times include:
- White-tailed eagle
- Crested Serpent eagle
- Philippine eagle
- White-bellied sea eagle
Not all eagles swim extensively. Some like golden eagles or wedge-tailed eagles rarely if ever swim since their hunting habitats and diets differ. But overall, most eagles are physically equipped to swim if needed.
How Well can Eagles Swim?
Eagles are considered moderately strong swimmers, though they do have some limitations in the water compared to more aquatically adapted birds. Here is how eagles measure up as swimmers:
- Eagles swim using both their feet to paddle and wings to propel themselves. They alternate feet in a typical breaststroke or dog paddle motion.
- Eagles can usually swim for several hundred meters before tiring. However they prefer to stay fairly close to shore.
- Their swimming speed averages around 2-3 mph. Eagles won’t win races against waterfowl but can paddle steadily for shorter stints.
- Eagles swim with their bodies floating buoyantly on the surface rather than diving below like loons or penguins.
- They tend to swim for transportation from point A to B instead of extensive foraging underwater.
- Eagles can take off directly from the water surface if they build up enough speed with paddling.
- Young eagles sometimes propel themselves underwater briefly using their wings when playing.
- Eagles will often scramble onto objects like logs or rocks to rest if swimming longer distances.
Overall, eagles are capable swimmers adapted for their lifestyle but their forte remains flying. Their aquatic skills complement their aerial abilities. By swimming, eagles expand their hunting and survival options whether fishing, escaping danger, or just cooling off on a hot day. Next time you see an eagle, look twice before assuming it’s stuck on land!