19 Types of Birds That Can Swim Underwater

Most people think of birds as creatures that fly through the sky or walk on land. However, many bird species have developed special abilities that let them dive and swim underwater to hunt for food. These underwater swimmers use their skills to catch fish, mollusks, and other sea creatures in oceans, lakes, and rivers.

Birds that swim underwater have special body features that help them move through water and hold their breath while diving. Some can dive hundreds of feet deep and stay underwater for several minutes. These amazing birds include penguins, puffins, cormorants, loons, and many others that have adapted to life both above and below the water’s surface.

1) Penguin

Penguins are the most famous swimming birds in the world. They cannot fly but swim like experts underwater.

These birds have torpedo-shaped bodies that cut through water easily. Their powerful flippers help them move fast through the ocean.

Emperor penguins can swim up to 9 mph underwater. They can dive deeper than 1,800 feet and hold their breath for 30 minutes.

All penguin species are built for swimming. They spend most of their time in the water hunting for fish.

2) Common Murre

The common murre is a large seabird that excels at underwater swimming. These black and white birds use their wings like flippers to “fly” through the water.

Common murres typically dive for about one minute. They regularly swim underwater at depths of 30 to 70 meters. The deepest recorded dive reached 180 meters.

Their wings are specially adapted for underwater flight. Unlike most birds with hollow bones, murres have dense, solid wing bones that help them dive deeper and swim better underwater.

3) Gentoo Penguin

Gentoo penguins are the fastest swimming birds in the world. They can reach speeds up to 36 kilometers per hour underwater.

Their wings have evolved into paddle-like flippers. These flippers are shorter and flatter than typical bird wings. This design helps them move quickly through water.

Gentoo penguins can dive to depths of 170-200 meters. They use their speed to hunt for fish, krill, and squid. Fast swimming also helps them escape from predators in the ocean.

4) Atlantic Puffin

Atlantic puffins are expert underwater swimmers. They use their wings like flippers to dive deep beneath the surface.

These birds can dive up to 200-300 feet deep. They usually stay underwater for 20 to 30 seconds at a time.

Puffins have dense bones that help them sink underwater. Their waterproof feathers keep them warm and dry while swimming.

They catch small fish one by one underwater. Puffins can hold multiple fish in their colorful beaks at once.

5) King Penguin

King penguins are skilled underwater swimmers. They use their wings like flippers to move through the water.

These birds can dive deep to hunt for fish. King penguins have streamlined bodies that help them swim fast.

Their torpedo shape reduces drag in the water. This makes them efficient hunters in ocean waters.

King penguins spend much of their time swimming and diving. They are well-adapted for life in the water.

6) Diving Petrels

Diving petrels are small seabirds that spend most of their lives at sea. They only come to land when it’s time to breed.

These birds are skilled underwater swimmers. They can dive up to 34 meters deep and stay underwater for over 15 minutes.

Diving petrels use their wings to “fly” through the water. This helps them catch fish and other sea creatures with great skill.

They have dark feathers on top and white bellies. Their long wings and short tails make them perfect for ocean life.

7) Cormorant

Cormorants are skilled underwater hunters found on coasts around the world. These black birds have long necks and webbed feet that help them swim and dive.

Unlike other water birds, cormorants don’t have waterproof feathers. This helps them sink and swim underwater more easily.

They dive from the surface to catch fish and other sea animals. After swimming, cormorants spread their wings to dry their wet feathers.

These social birds often live and hunt in groups.

8) Cormorants

Cormorants are skilled underwater swimmers found around the world. They live near both saltwater and freshwater areas.

These birds have long necks and webbed feet. Their body shape helps them dive and swim underwater with ease.

Cormorants dive completely underwater to catch fish. They use their powerful feet to move through the water quickly.

Unlike other water birds, cormorant feathers are not fully waterproof. This is why they spread their wings to dry after swimming.

9) Loons

Loons are skilled underwater swimmers found on northern lakes and coastlines. These birds have solid bones that make them less buoyant than other birds.

They can quickly remove air from their lungs and feathers before diving. This helps them sink fast and swim better underwater.

Loons typically dive for 40-45 seconds to hunt for fish. They can stay underwater for up to 3 minutes when needed.

Their heart rate slows down while diving to save oxygen. Loons use their feet to move through the water while hunting.

10) Anhinga

The Anhinga is a skilled underwater swimmer found in warm parts of the Americas. This bird gets its nickname “snakebird” because only its long neck shows above water when swimming.

Unlike most water birds, Anhingas don’t have waterproof feathers. This helps them dive and stay underwater longer to hunt fish.

They use their sharp, pointed bills to spear fish with great accuracy. After swimming, Anhingas perch with wings spread wide to dry their wet feathers.

11) Swans

Swans are large waterbirds that can swim and dive underwater. They use their long necks to reach food below the water surface.

These birds mainly eat plants, small fish, and insects. They dip their heads underwater while their bodies stay floating on top.

Swans have webbed feet that help them paddle through water. Their feathers are waterproof to keep them dry and warm.

During breeding season, swans perform special swimming displays with their mates. They move their heads up and down together in the water.

12) American Dipper

The American Dipper is North America’s only aquatic songbird. This slate-gray bird lives near mountain streams and rivers.

It uses its wings to swim underwater like flippers. The dipper can stay submerged for up to 15 seconds while hunting.

This bird actually walks on stream bottoms to find food. It turns over rocks and pebbles to catch aquatic insects and larvae.

The American Dipper bobs up and down about 50 times per minute when excited or feeding.

13) European Shag

The European shag is a medium-sized seabird with dark, glossy feathers. It has a streamlined body built for underwater hunting.

This bird dives from the water’s surface to catch fish. It swims with great skill and can chase prey underwater.

European shags have yellow throat patches and long, thin bills. During breeding season, they grow small crests on their heads.

They live along rocky coastlines in northern Europe. These birds nest on steep cliffs near the ocean.

14) Pelicans

Pelicans are large water birds with webbed feet and strong legs. They have a special pouch under their beak that helps them catch fish.

These birds are skilled at both flying and swimming. Their webbed feet make them excellent swimmers in the water.

Pelicans can dive underwater to catch their food. They use their wings and feet to move through the water while hunting for fish.

Their bodies have special oil glands that keep their feathers waterproof. This helps them stay dry while swimming and diving.

15) Great Cormorant

The Great Cormorant is one of the most widespread aquatic birds in the world. It lives in both saltwater and freshwater areas across many countries.

This large black bird has a long neck and webbed feet. It uses these features to swim and dive underwater with great skill.

Great Cormorants are often seen drying their wings after swimming. Their feathers are not fully waterproof like other water birds. This makes the wing-drying behavior necessary after each dive.

16) Gannets

Gannets are large seabirds that dive from heights over 100 feet to catch fish. They hit the water at speeds up to 60 miles per hour.

These birds can swim underwater after diving. They use their wings and feet to move through the water while chasing fish.

Gannets dive as deep as 72 feet below the surface. They hunt for fish like sardines, herring, and cod in ocean waters.

17) Coots

Coots are small, dark-colored water birds found in North America and Eurasia. They live near lakes, ponds, and wetlands.

These birds have strong swimming abilities. They can stay underwater for about 15 seconds while searching for food.

Coots use their diving skills to hunt for aquatic plants, small fish, and insects. Their webbed toes help them move through the water easily.

Unlike ducks, coots have lobed toes rather than fully webbed feet. This design still works well for swimming and underwater movement.

18) Penguins

Penguins are master underwater swimmers found only in the Southern Hemisphere. They gave up flying to become expert divers.

These birds use their wings like flippers to move through water. They essentially “fly” underwater instead of through air.

Emperor penguins can dive over 1,800 feet deep. They swim at speeds up to 22 miles per hour underwater.

Penguins can hold their breath for up to 30 minutes before surfacing. Their streamlined bodies make them perfectly built for aquatic life.

19) Puffins

Puffins are small seabirds with colorful beaks and black-and-white feathers. They live in the Northern Hemisphere near ocean waters.

These birds can both fly in the air and swim underwater. They use their wings to “fly” through the water while diving for fish.

Puffins can dive up to 300 feet deep to catch small fish like herring and capelin. They typically stay underwater for about 30 seconds at a time.

Their feet help them steer while swimming underwater. Puffins spend most of their lives at sea.