This is an interesting question that many people may wonder about. When we think of fish, we typically imagine them swimming around below the water’s surface. However, there is one remarkable fish that is capable of leaping out of the water to catch birds on the wing.
The Flying Fish
The fish in question is the flying fish. Flying fish are aquatic animals that actually have the ability to glide above the water’s surface for considerable distances. This unique ability allows flying fish to escape from predators in the water and also enables them to launch themselves out of the water to catch prey above the surface.
There are over 60 species of flying fish found in warm ocean waters around the world. They are typically small fish, with the largest species growing to about 18 inches in length. All flying fish have distinctly large pectoral fins that extend out from the sides of their body. These oversized fins enable the fish to become airborne.
When a flying fish takes off from the water, it can reach speeds of nearly 40 miles per hour as it breaks the surface. Its long pectoral fins are spread wide and oscillate rapidly as the fish launches into the air. This motion propels the fish upward and forward, allowing it to glide above the water like an airfoil. The fastest flying fish are capable of gliding for over 400 feet (120 meters) before returning to the water.
Feeding Behavior
So how does this unique gliding ability allow flying fish to catch birds? As the name suggests, flying fish have evolved the capacity to leap from the water to feed on aerial prey. They accomplish this by detecting flocks of birds near the water’s surface and timing their exit from the water to snatch birds as they fly by.
Flying fish are opportunistic predators that feed on zooplankton, crustaceans, and occasionally small fish when underwater. However, they have also developed a taste for birds. When flocks of seabirds are feeding on schools of fish near the surface, flying fish will track their movement from below. They patiently wait for the right moment to thrust themselves out of the water towards low-flying birds.
In most cases, the fish do not launch themselves high enough to actually catch healthy birds in mid-flight. However, young, old, and sickly birds that fly closer to the water are viable targets. Additionally, flying fish sometimes catch birds like shearwaters and petrels as they touch down to snatch prey from the surface. The fish time their leap to meet the birds as they dip down towards the water.
In-Flight Feeding
Flying fish have specifically evolved for aquatic flight and catching prey while airborne. Their streamlined, symmetrical torpedo-shaped bodies minimize drag and allow the fish to glide efficiently through the air. Their enlarged pectoral fins have become wing-like structures specialized for powered flight.
Additionally, flying fish have superior binocular vision that allows them to accurately target birds in flight. Their eyes are positioned on the sides of the head rather than the top, giving them good depth perception to gauge distances. This helps the fish successfully meet birds as they leap from the water.
Once airborne, flying fish use their pectoral fins to change direction and altitude in order to close in on prey. At the last moment, the fish turns its head and snaps at the bird, biting it with its jaws lined with small, pointed teeth. The fish is sometimes able to consume the bird completely while still in flight. Other times, it falls back into the water with the bird gripped in its mouth.
Notable Examples
The most prolific bird-hunting flying fish is Cheilopogon melanurus, known as the tropical flyingfish. It inhabits warm waters of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. This agile flyer can catch swallows, terns, and even small petrels in mid-air.
Another accomplished avian predator is Cypselurus hexazona, or the bigwing flyingfish. It lives in the Indo-Pacific region and uses its oversized pectoral fins to snare both seabirds and land birds that stray too close to the water. Even very capable fliers like swifts can end up prey for C. hexazona.
Flying fish don’t exclusively target birds, as they opportunistically feed on any prey within reach. However, their ability to catch birds mid-flight is an impressive example of their unique mode of aerial hunting.
| Flying Fish Species | Wingspan | Regions Found | Bird Prey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheilopogon melanurus | 10 inches | Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans | Terns, petrels, swallows |
| Cypselurus hexazona | 14 inches | Indo-Pacific | Seabirds, swifts |
| Exocoetus volitans | 12 inches | Worldwide tropics | Shearwaters, storm petrels |
Hunting Strategy
Flying fish have developed a clever hunting strategy to ambush birds from below the water’s surface. Here are some key elements:
- Detect flocks feeding at surface – Use superior vision to spot birds above
- Accelerate to takeoff speed – Swim quickly and build momentum to launch
- Break surface at opportune moment – Time exit for inbound bird
- Angle pectoral fins for lift – Tilt fins to gain maximum lift from wings
- Glide towards target – Morph fins to steer and altitude-control
- Open mouth to capture – Extend jaws at last moment for surprise catch
- Consume or return to water – Gulp down bird or fall back with grip
This strategic approach allows flying fish to effectively turn the skies above into their underwater hunting grounds. The fish have evolved traits and behaviors specialized for their remarkable method of catching birds on the wing.
Defense Against Birds
Birds ply the skies with speed and maneuverability that gives them a home field advantage against the fish. So how do relatively slow flying fish overcome their intended prey?
Flying fish stack the odds in their favor by stealthily ambushing from below. Remaining underwater obscures them from the keen eyesight of birds scanning from above. Bursting forth at high velocities gives the fish momentum to quickly close distances.
Targeting young, elderly, and infirm birds makes for easier catches. Healthy, alert birds still pose significant challenge. But flying fish often hunt in large groups, improving chances through sheer numbers.
Their torpedo-shape and streamlined fins make flying fish difficult for reacting birds to grab onto, unlike more tender prey. And their smaller size compared to most seabirds reduces damage from collisions.
Once seized by the fish, writhing birds can still sometimes break free. But the flying fish’s grip mitigates this risk, as does its ability to consume prey during flight.
While not impervious to counterattack, flying fish have adequate adaptations and techniques to give them an aerial hunting edge against common seabirds.
Conclusion
In summary, flying fish possess the rare ability among fish to leap from the water and glide through the air. This allows them to opportunistically feed on birds near the water’s surface that would normally be beyond their reach. Species like Cheilopogon melanurus and Cypselurus hexazona are specially adapted for catching birds in mid-flight.
Flying fish detect flocks of feeding seabirds and time their exit from the water to intersect inbound birds. They steer towards targets using their oversized pectoral fin wings. At the last moment, the fish tilt their heads and snap their jaws to snatch birds from the air. While challenging, their ambush tactics allow flying fish to effectively turn the skies into an extension of their underwater hunting grounds.
