Anhinga

## Description

The anhinga (; Anhinga anhinga ), sometimes called snakebird, darter, American darter, or water turkey, is a water bird of the warmer parts of the Americas. The word anhinga comes from the Brazilian Tupi language and means "devil bird" or "snake bird". The origin of the name is apparent when swimming: only the neck appears above water so the bird looks like a snake ready to strike. They do not have external nares (nostrils) and breathe solely through their epiglottis.

The anhinga is placed in the darter family, Anhingidae, and is closely related to Indian (*Anhinga melanogaster* ), African (*Anhinga rufa* ), and Australian (*Anhinga novaehollandiae* ) darters. Like other darters, the anhinga hunts by spearing fish and other small prey using its sharp, slender beak.

## Appearance

The anhinga is found in warmer regions of the Americas. Being members of the family of darters, they are related to cormorants and pelicans. "Anhinga" come from the Tupi language of Brazil and means snake bird or devil bird. These Central and North American birds are skilful swimmers with unique characteristics that help them when hunting for fish. With a large wing span, they are able to fly in the manner of a vulture or a hawk. Males and females look different, with the females being smaller and browner and the males blacker. Their feathers provide less buoyancy than ducks, so they are able to dive under the water, and swim with just their thin necks above the water, earning them the nickname of the "snake bird".

## Distribution

Anhingas live all year round in southwest coastal areas of the United States, from North Carolina to Texas. They are also found in Central America, Mexico, Panama, and Cuba, and in South America from Colombia to Ecuador, and in the east of the Andes to Argentina. Anhingas live in tropical and subtropical areas. They prefer waters that are fresh or brackish, and can sometimes be found on coasts. They live near lakes, marshes, and mangrove swamps with tall trees and thick vegetation, and in shallow lagoons and bays.

## Behavior

Anhingas are diurnal and generally solitary but may gather with cormorants, herons, ibises, and storks. They will nest with their species and other birds in loose colonies but do not associate with other anhingas aside from in nesting colonies. These birds are highly territorial, engaging in exaggerated displays when defending their nest site: spreading their wings and snapping their beak to threaten an intruder, leading to a fight if necessary, pecking each other on the neck and head. When they are in the water they spend most of their time fishing, otherwise, they will be found perched in trees. They often crawl out of the water to find a high perch so they can sun themselves. As with turkey vultures and cormorants, anhingas will spread out their wings to sun themselves, which dries out their plumage, absorbing heat from the sun. They lose heat quickly in water as they have no layer of body feathers to provide insulation, thus, the sun's heat helps them to maintain their body temperature.

## Diet

Anhingas are carnivores (piscivores), they mostly eat fish, but will also feed on aquatic invertebrates, amphibians, insects, and reptiles.

## Reproduction

Anhingas are monogamous, forming strong pair bonds, which last for life. During courtship, anhingas perform flying displays, soaring towards their nest from a great height. Birds in Mexico perform a particular display when they are at the nest, vocalizing to each other, stretching their neck towards their mate. Breeding is seasonal in North America. In latitudes that are subtropical or tropical, breeding can be throughout the year, or triggered by dry or wet seasons. Anhingas usually nest in colonies, sometimes with other bird species. The nest is built by both adults and is used then from year to year. 2 to 5 eggs are laid and incubation is for around 25 to 30 days, done by both parents. Chicks are naked and helpless when they hatch and may have some dark and white down along their sides. They are brooded for 12 days by both parents and remain in their nest for three weeks. Then they climb out of their nest onto a branch, and they fledge at about 6 weeks old. The young stay for several more weeks with their parents before becoming independent and reach maturity when they are about 2 years old.

## Population

### Population threats

In the Americas, this species is abundant, despite their aquatic habitats being threatened. DDT (poison) has had an effect on their reproductive success, and banning this pesticide in the United States has benefited those populations that breed in the south of the country.

### Population number

According to All About Birds resource, the total breeding population of the anhinga is 83,000 individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List but their numbers today are decreasing.

## Fun Facts for Kids

The Creoles of Louisiana call the anhinga "Bec a Lancette," due to its pointed bill. In Southern Florida, this bird is called the "Grecian Lady."

Anhingas are usually quiet birds, but they do make vocalizations, consisting of clicks, rattles, grunts, and croaks.

Anhinga parents first feed chicks by dripping regurgitated fish and fluid directly into their open bills. When the chicks are older, they will put their heads into their parents’ bills to get the food.

If threatened, the chicks can drop into the water to swim away, and will later climb out of the water back into their nest.

Male and female anhingas can easily be distinguished, as males have a black head and neck, while females have a golden-brown head and neck.

Anhingas are often seen soaring high overhead. They are graceful fliers and can fly long distances without needing to flap their wings, similar to the flight of a turkey vulture.

Kettles of anhingas often migrate with other birds and have been described as resembling black paper gliders.

The vertebrae in an anhinga’s neck have a structure to allow the powerful stabs they need to make to spear fish using their sharp bill.