Dive into these amazing facts about anhinga birds, the sleek, long-necked black birds that hunt (and swim) underwater.
Excellent Diving and Swimming Skills
Anhingas are less buoyant than many other water birds, making them more efficient divers. When an anhinga swims at the surface, most of its body is usually underwater with only its head sticking out.
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Anhingas Have Webbed Feet but Are Not Ducks
Four webbed toes on each foot help the birds swim and catch fish as well as crustaceans and other invertebrate prey in the water.
Anhinga Feathers Are Not Waterproof
It may surprise you that anhingas have zero waterproofing on their feathers. That’s why they’re often seen drying themselves with outstretched wings in the sun.
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Anhinga Bird Range and Habitat
In winter, you’re most likely to see these birds in seven coastal states across the Southeast, from South Carolina to Texas, and in Mexico. In summer for the breeding season, they migrate a short distance inland, expanding their range throughout the southern states.
They’re found in two types of water: fresh and salt. The birds typically prefer fresh water but do venture to briny coasts during droughts.
Large and Long
From beak to tail tip, these birds can reach about 3 feet long, thanks in part to their lanky, S-shaped necks.
Bird Species Nicknames
Water turkey and snake bird are a couple of common nicknames for anhingas.
Anhinga Nests and Eggs
In each breeding season, mating pairs have only one brood, which they raise in a platform-style nest made of large sticks and lined with softer greenery.
Sources
- Florida Atlantic University, “Anhinga vs Cormorant”
- All About Birds, “Anhinga Life History“
- University of Michigan Animal Diversity Web, “Anhinga“
