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The Anhinga (Anhinga
anhinga) is well recognized for posing on branches with its wings
extended, drying feathers in the sun. This bird is about 35" tall with a
very long, slender neck. It swims underwater looking for small fish, its
diet mainstay. Sexes are easily identified as the neck of males is black and
females have brown necks. Known also as the "snake bird" because of its skinny,
twisting neck and profile in the water, it is easily confused with the
Double-crested Cormorant
found in the same waters.
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| The pictures above
show a female Anhinga feeding her chick. To feed, the chick's
head must enter the female's throat. The chick prompts the
female for food by grabbing the female's bill with its own bill and
continually tugging (great white egrets are pictured in the
background). |
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| Above, Anhingas are
perched with wings spread. This act is thought to dry the wings
after being in the water. Anhingas swim underwater after fish.
They do not have the oily waterproof coating on their feathers
that protects other birds from the elements. The bird on the
left is a male and the two birds on the right are female. They
are identified by the black or brown head and neck. |
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| Male and female celebrate the
passing of a twig for the nest. |
Female
Anhinga and tan chicks. |
Anhinga family portrait - female,
male and chicks on nest. |
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Portrait of female anhinga. |
The eyes of nesting pairs (male
and female) seem iridescent or neon-like. |
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Male
Anhinga |
Male
Anhinga |
Female
Anhinga on Nest |
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