Anhinga

The Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) is a beautiful, silky, dark olive-green to almost black-feathered bird speckled with shining silvery spots. With a wingspan of just under four feet, a body length of just under three feet, and a weight of just around three pounds, this bird is extraordinary. The Anhinga is also known as water turkey because of its long tail and snakebird because of its long neck and head which is the only part that can be observed when it is swimming.  It can be spotted sunbathing on the bushes, enjoying the enchanting scenery of the wetlands.

The Anhinga lives in the southeastern United States and is abundant in Florida. It can also be found in Central and South America as well as Mexico. During breeding season the Anhinga can be spotted in the southeastern United States to South America Not all Anhingas migrate. Some that live in the highest and lowest points of its range do but most live close to the equator to begin with.

The Anhinga can be found in freshwater, swamps, and lakes with trees and vegetation around. It makes its nest in trees near the water. Making the nest is divided equally between the male and the female. The male hunts for the dried twigs, sticks, catkins, and leaves, and the female will make a comfortable compact nest out of this material. The male will begin the hunting and preparation of the construction of the nests before it has even found a mate.  During breeding season, the Anhinga develops an exotic blue ring around the eye. Anhingas usually nest in a colony, in trees. They are aggressive toward each other when protecting their areas. Three to five eggs are laid with both parents incubating them. It takes about 30 days for the eggs to hatch, but the baby chicks develop fast. By two to three weeks they are aware of danger and have already developed escape routes when facing threats. They swim into the water, and find a hiding place until the danger is over, after which they return to their nest or wait nearby for their parents. By the time they are one and a half months, the birds can fly.

Much like a knife, the Anhinga stabs prey with its sharp beak. The sight of the Anhinga whipping a fish into the air and catching it in its mouth is simply fascinating. It is a great fish diver and dives smoothly without making a noise or ripple. The Anhinga diet is mainly carnivorous as it consumes fish and other small water creatures from tadpoles to baby alligators. The Anhinga eats water snakes, frog eggs, tadpoles, insects, leeches and a multitude of water life.

The Anhinga can usually be spotted with just its neck and head out of the water. Its lack of water proof wings and heavy bones allow the Anhinga to swim very deep and effectively. The Anhinga is different from other birds because it lacks the oil glands needed to produce oil. This allows it to move faster in water, however, it does force the Anhinga’s to sun every day to dry its feathers. This majestic outstretching of the wings as it dries itself is a sight that can be enjoyed by nature lovers at Green Cay Nature Center. From its various sun bathing poses to the picturesque image of the flick of fish into its mouth, the Anhinga is a memezering sight.  It also has the ability to soar high in the sky and can fly at altitudes several thousand feet.  Come and spot this bird at Green Cay Nature Center and Wetlands

Written by Vishal Patel