Anhinga

Anhinga anhinga

The Anhinga is a unique bird that loves to swim and dive underwater. It has a long neck and can often be seen drying its wings in the sun after swimming.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Anhinga is a sleek water bird with a long, S-shaped neck and a dagger-like bill. Males are iridescent black with silvery-white streaks on their wings, while females have a brownish head and neck. Its long, fanned tail makes it visually distinct from similar birds.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderSuliformesFamilyAnhingidaeGenusAnhinga

Anhinga

Interesting facts

After diving, they spread their wings to dry like a dark cape in the sun!

Anhingas build their nests in trees over water, protecting their young from predators.

Anhingas have a unique hinge in their neck, allowing them to quickly spear fish!

They often hunt with their eyes open underwater, spotting prey in murky waters.

Special abilities

Anhingas can easily sink and swim underwater because their feathers get soaked, letting them hunt fish efficiently.

Anhingas can quickly stab fish with their sharp, pointed bill, catching slippery prey with a swift movement.

Anhingas have a special way to dry their wings by spreading them wide in the sun, helping them fly again after dives.

Measurements & details

Length: 80-100 cm
Wingspan: 110-120 cm
Weight: 1-1.5 kg
Lifespan: 9-16 years
Top Speed: 40 km/h
Clutch Size: 2-6
Incubation: 25-30 days

Diet & Feeding

Anhingas are skilled underwater hunters that spear and eat fish and other small aquatic animals.

Primary Foods

fish
frogs
tadpoles
aquatic insects
small crustaceans
snakes

Foraging Method

Pursuit

Ecological connections

eaten by

American Alligator

Alligator mississippiensis

Preys on eggs and young in nests.

eaten by

Bald Eagle

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Can snatch eggs or chicks from nests.

hunts

Nile Tilapia

Oreochromis niloticus

A common fish preyed upon by Anhingas.

hunts

American Bullfrog

Lithobates catesbeianus

Frogs are also a regular part of their diet.

Traits

Feathered

Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.

Webbed Feet

Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming.

Solitary

Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.

Piscivorous

Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.