A bird's eye view
Credit: Wildlife Conservation Society
For the first time researchers have been able to watch an imperial cormorant, a bird found just off the coast of Argentina, as it dives underwater to feed.
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the National Research Council of Argentina were able to fit the bird with a small camera to see it dive 150 feet in 40 seconds, feeding on the ocean floor for 80 seconds, and returning to the surface after another 40 seconds.
While on the ocean floor the bird caught a snake-like fish which it brought back to the surface to eat. The research team have described the cormorant as 'superbird' after the unexpected dive.
Before now, the birds have been tracked using other technological equipment including tags and GPS loggers, but this recent information will help identify new priority feeding areas to be protected and enable researchers to further understand their habits.
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is inviting applications from veterinary students to attend a one-week extramural studies (EMS) placement in July 2026.
