C. H. GILBERT CRUISE 74, August 1964
This cruise was designed to study the fish species present in ocean
currents at this time of year. The fish were to be found by observing bird
flocks, especially terns, which seem to follow fish schools more closely.
Dayle Husted (S. I. personnel) boarded ship at Kaileua, Hawaii, August 14,
1964. The cruise covered the area around Hawaii, north of the Hawaiian chain
to Kauai, the channel between Kauai and Niihau, and northwestward to south of
Nihoa, then back to Honolulu on August 23. Dayle Husted was to observe the
feeding behavior of the birds of the various flocks.
FEEDING BEHAVIOR OF BIRDS IN FLOCKS
Wedge-tailed Shearwater
Wedgetails were observed feeding in two major ways -- either sitting on
the water and dabbling or flying above the water and diving into the water.
When sitting on the water they keep the wings folded, paddle around and put
their head and neck under water to feed. When flying above the water, they
dive to just above the water and put their head and neck under the water.
During this action their wings are continuously beating. After sitting on
the water they take off by lifting their heads out of the water and run along
the surface until becoming airborne. The dives were not very deep-- probably
less than a foot-- and lasted 3 or 4 seconds or less. Some Wedgetails were
observed to alight on the water, keep their wings beating, or raised above
their bodies, thrust the head and neck under water, and then take flight
after a short run.