General

Anhinga: Large, dark waterbird with long tail, snake-like neck, small head, red eyes, and long olive-brown bill. Male is green-black overall with silver-gray feathers appearing speckled and grizzled on upper back and forewings. Female has pale brown breast and neck. May swim with only head and neck above water; often perches with wings outstretched to dry feathers.

Range and Habitat

Anhinga: Breeds near Atlantic and Gulf coasts from North Carolina to Texas, in Florida, and in Mississippi Valley north to southern Missouri and Kentucky. Spends winters along the Gulf Coast north to South Carolina. Also occurs in tropical America. Preferred habitats include freshwater and coastal water bodies with thick vegetation and large trees, which it uses for roosting and nesting.

Listen to Call

Voice Text

"guk-guk-guk-guk-guk"

Interesting Facts

 The Anhinga does not have oil glands for waterproofing its feathers like most water birds. When it swims, it gets wet which allows it to move more efficiently under water. When it leaves the water, it must spread its wings and dry in the sun.

 It has a long tail that accounts for its nickname, “water turkey.”

 While swimming, the head may be above the surface with its body below. Observers only see the long neck and head. This has resulted in another nickname, “snake bird.”

 It spears fish with its long beak. Sometimes it has to swim to shore and pry the fish off its beak by rubbing on a rock or tree limb.

Author

Gary Owen Dick