Is it true that a certain kind of bird named "Storm Petrels" can walk on water?

skysmom65

Storm Petrel Any of about 20 species (family Hydrobatidae) of petrels that vary from 5 to 10 in. (13–25 cm) long. All are dark gray or brown, sometimes lighter below, often with a white rump. The relatively short wings are rounded at the tips. The toes are webbed, except for the small hind toe; the tail is square, forked, or wedge-shaped. Most species breeding in southern oceans "walk" over the water with wings spread, picking up minute marine organisms. Most northern species swoop over the water like tiny terns, occasionally alighting on the surface. Storm-petrels use a variety of techniques to aid flight. Most species will occasionally feed by surface pattering, holding and moving their feet on the water's surface while holding steady above the water. They remain stationary by hovering with rapid fluttering or by using the wind to anchor themselves in place.[3] This method of feeding flight is most commonly used by Oceanitinadae storm-petrels. The White-faced Storm-petrel possesses a unique variation on pattering, holding it's wings motionless and at an angle into the wind it pushes itself off the water's surface in a succession of bounding jumps.[4] Storm-petrels also use dynamic soaring and slope soaring to travel over the ocean surface. Dynamic soaring is used mostly by the Hydrobatinae, gliding across wave fronts gaining energy from the vertical wind gradient.[5] [6] Slope soaring is more straightforward and favoured by the Oceanitinadae,[3] the storm-petrel turns to the wind, gaining height, from where it can then glide back down to the sea. http://www.answers.com/Storm%20Petrel Feb 21 07, 2:31 PM

Baloo55th

Basically, no. It just looks as if they do, because they hover so low their feet touch the surface. If they stop the wing movements, they end up on (or in) the water just as any other bird. Feb 21 07, 3:33 PM

Brinjal

Jacanas also appear to skip across the water. Feb 22 07, 2:57 AM

Baloo55th

Jacanas cheat - they actually walk on just submerged leaves of waterlilies and such. Feb 22 07, 4:47 AM