Commonly known as a “snakebird” or “water turkey” because of its habit of swimming with its body submerged and long neck above the water. Shaped like a cormorant but with a longer neck, males are black with a green iridescent sheen, silver wing patches, and spots on the shoulders. Females are black with a buff-colored neck and breast. It will feed by diving from the surface of the water and spearing prey with its pointed bill. The Anhinga lacks oil glands and is often seen perching with its wings spread to dry them in the sun.
Wetland, Coastal
The northernmost distribution of Anhinga anhinga leucogaster is in the United States from North Carolina to Texas. Its range also includes Mexico, Central America, Panama, and Cuba.
Abundant
Diurnal
Primarily fish, sometimes aquatic insects, shrimp, baby alligators and turtles
Anhingas start flight by either running on the surface of the water or diving from a tree. Only the head and neck are visible when in the water due to their low buoyancy. Anhingas hunt for fish while swimming underwater or at surface. They wait for fish to come near, then impale them with lightning-fast thrust of their long, pointed bill. The fish is often tossed in the air, then swallowed headfirst. Similar to cormorants and turkey vultures, anhingas sun themselves by spreading out the wings, which dries out the plumage and absorbs heat from the sun. Anhingas are solitary but are sometimes found among groups of herons, cormorants, ibises, or storks.
Least Concern
