Diet

What does the Anhinga eat?

The anhinga is a carnivore which primarily feeds on fish. Other prey items include amphibians and reptiles including young alligators. These are speared while swimming through the water.

Prey is captured below the water. They will then take it to the surface and shake it free from their bill before swallowing it. These animals are not fast swimmers and will typically wait for fish to come to them.

Learn more about the Anhinga in this video from Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History on YouTube

Range

Where do you find the Anhinga?

North and South America is the native home of the anhinga. Here they will breed in the following countries - Argentina; Belize; Bolivia,; Brazil; Colombia; Costa Rica; Cuba; Ecuador; El Salvador; French Guiana; Guatemala; Guyana; Honduras; Mexico; Nicaragua; Panama; Paraguay; Peru; Suriname; Venezuela, Uruguay and the United States.

They can be found as vagrant individuals in the following countries - Antigua and Barbuda; Bahamas; Barbados; Canada; Cayman Islands; Dominica; Dominican Republic; Grenada; Guadeloupe; Haiti; Martinique; Jamaica; Montserrat; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Habitat

Where can the Anhinga survive?

This species is found in wetland habitats and will rely on water to survive. They primarily use fresh water.

Credit: Public Domain

Reproduction

How does the Anhinga produce its young?

Their nest is a platform which is created from twigs and reeds. Some leaves may be used to line the nest. These will be collected by the male and then placed by the female.

On occasion they will take over the nest of a heron or egret. They may toss their eggs from the nest when this occurs.

In to the nest up to six eggs will be deposited. Their eggs are colored a chalky blue color. These are incubated for three to four weeks by both parents.

At hatching the young will be blind and helpless.

The parents feed the chicks with pre-digested fish. They are gradually transitioned on to whole fish as they grow.

Fledging takes place at six weeks old but their parents support them for a few more weeks.

Sexual maturity is reached at two years old.

Behavior

What does the Anhinga do during its day?

Feeding takes place during the day. They will depart their roost soon after sunset to begin their hunt.

These birds will form colonies with a range of other waterbird species.

Colonies will roost in a tree.

Often the anhinga will be spotted perched with its wings open. This helps to dry them and to regulate its temperature.

These birds are mostly silent. At their nesting sites they will make a range of croaking and clicking sounds.

Credit: Public Domain

Predators and Threats

What stops the Anhinga from surviving and thriving?

Across much of their range they are considered to be decreasing in number but in the United States they are believed to have an increasing population.

No significant threats to this species are currently recognized.

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Quick facts

These birds are alternatively known as the snakebird. This name comes from their swimming style. They will move with their body under the water and neck sticking out looking like a snake.

Another nickname is the water turkey. This is taken from their turkey like tail.

The name Anhinga comes from the Tupi Indians in Brazil. It means "devil bird."

Credit: Public Domain