Anhinga

The anhinga, sometimes called snakebirddarterAmerican darter, or water turkey, is a water bird of the warmer parts of the Americas.  Like other darters, the anhinga hunts by spearing fish and other small prey using its sharp, slender beak. I know how sharp it is, I rescued one one time and it bit my finger. The serrated top and bottom of its beak sliced easily into my finger down to the bone. I keep my hands away now. 
It swims slowly underwater, stalking fish around submerged vegetation. Anhingas typically spear fish through their sides with a rapid thrust of their partially opened bill. 
A friend of mine said that most people think of this bird as a “snake”bird, with the emphasis on the “snake”. She was glad that I was showing that the bird is really not so scary, in fact they are beautiful!!

2.She is grooming away!

3. Quite majestic!

4. Drying off those wings. Wet feathers weigh her down and make it harder to fly..

Other birds like the duck float, the anhinga would not be able to stay under the water with their feathers!

5. Wings are mostly dry, almost ready to take flight.

6. I think the neck is amazing! And so are the white feathers!

7. The feathers are very wet, having just come out of the water, see how narrow the feathers are. not so good for flying.

8. Female anhinga just resting, look at those feet! They are like paddles, soft a rubbery with bony toes to hold them as they swim.

9. feathers almost dry,  back to normal..

10. Looking fine!

11. Glorious

12. OK, not so glorious, like a wet rag!

13. Getting it back.

14. And off flying again.

Rookery Photos

15. Mom with three in the nest.

16. Two are quite hungry.

17. Dad is nearby.

18. Mom feeding one of the babies.

19. The baby’s head is way down her throat!

20. The two youngins are hungry still!

21. Dad is sitting a safe distance away.

22. Now mom feeding the second.


23. Drying feathers 7-21-2020

24. Taking off 7-28-2020

25. Scratching  7-30-2020

26. Soft neck   7-30-2020

27. Male Anhinga 8-31-2020

28. Female 9-18-20
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53. 12-23-2020 In their breeding plumage, anhingas have a blue ring around their eyes
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