Anhingas are large and slender birds with a “S” shaped neck. They swim and dive live dabbling ducks with their webbed feet, however, their bodies are fully submerged and all you will see is their head and neck sticking out of the water. The are also called Snake Birds. They catch fish and eat them whole. The images in this post is a male with his silvery white streaks on his wings and back.
They will often be seen perched up on a dock, tree or anywhere they can get a grip with their wings spread wide to dry off. They are one of a few water birds that their feathers do not repel water and they need to dry their wings after being in the water fishing. They stalk fish underwater and will use their dagger like bill to stab their prey which they swallow whole.
Anhingas can be found in the southern parts of the United States, Mexico, Caribbean, Central and South America. They inhibit freshwater lakes and ponds, but will also be seen in brackish areas in the mangroves and other mudflats.
This is my first time participating in April Blogging from A-Z Challenge. As a birder and photographer, I will be sharing a new bird with you every day. I host a weekly photo challenge called Bird Weekly and would love for you to stop by anytime. Join in if that is your thing too.
35 responses to “A-Z Challenge – A is for Anhinga”
They are a pretty waterbird. I hope to see one someday.
I hope you get to Florida someday too. You will see them if you get out and about here. They are quite common. 🙂
I saw my first one in Brownsville Texas. Amazing birds.
Yes they are. Great personalities too! 🙂
Yes!
I’ve seen these….enjoyed the new info (new to me).
Thanks and I’m glad I could offer up some new info. 🙂 That always makes me happy!
that is an amazing looking bird – never heard of it…
Yes they are pretty cool looking birds. The males are really spectacular as in most bird species. LOL! 🙂
just bird species? 🙂
😂😂😂😜
🙂
With their little heads sticking up out of the water they look like snakes swimming around
Yep they sure are and while them and the Cormorants have the nickname of snakebird. LOL! 🙂
This is an interesting bird with it’s long neck. Love his feathers. Good start for your A to Z posts. 🙂
Thank you Barbara. This will be fun. 😊
Beautiful pics and an excellent start! Love the little tufts of hair in that first photo!
Thank you so much. This is going to be fun! 😊
Awesome as always!
Thank you so much. Really glad to see you and congrats on the new place. 😊
Thank you so much 😊
I hope you are able to participate in Bird Weekly this coming week. You caught me on an off week. I took yesterday off for our anniversary that was Wednesday. We birded for 8 1/2 hours. It was awesome! 🙂
Ohh Happy anniversary 🎉 glad you had a great time…
Thank you. 😊
Beautiful photos!!
Thank you Nora. Sometimes you just get lucky and he adamantly wasn’t moving. 😎
No kidding they are large! …. but … I’ve never knowingly seen one. 🙁
They are not too large. They are about the size of an eagle with a lot shorter wingspan. Apparently they have Darters in Australia that look just like the ones here. 😊
I love the way they hang their wings out to dry. Whenever my wife and I see a bird anywhere in the world, or on television, doing something similar we always smile and say “look, it’s doing an anhinga!”
That could be a new dance! 😂❤️
Beautifully captured Lisa!
Thanks Aletta! When birds cooperate! 😊
😀
What beautiful birds. Never heard of them before. This is so interesting ☺️
We think so too. I’m pretty sure you would see them down around the coast in Texas. 😊