Anhinga

Anhingas are a waterfowl that is found primarily around fresh water swamps and marshes. In the U.S. they breed around the Gulf Coast from Florida to Texas, with he populations in Florida staying year round. They are more common in the coastal areas of Mexico and Central America as well as the northeastern half of South America. Their primary food source is fish, which they hunt by swimming under the water and stalking their prey though the aquatic vegetation and then stabbing them with their pointy beaks.Unfortunately anhingas do not produce the oils that ducks and other waterfowls use to waterproof their feathers, so after each swim the anhinga will look for a safe place where they can perch with their wings stretched out so that their feathers can dry. I took this photo at the Everglades National Park in south Florida.

American Anhinga

 The American anhinga is a water bird that is found along the Gulf Coast, Mexico, Central America and much of South America. Their name "Anhinga" means "snake bird" in the Brazilian Tupi language. This is an apt name because anhinga swim low in the water. Often it is only their head and neck showing above the water which can look like a snake. The reason that they swim this way is because they do not produce oils that help waterproof their feathers the way that most other water fowl do. As they swim their feathers become water logged which makes them less buoyant so they sink further down into the water. This lack of buoyancy does help them dive further under the water when hunting. the anhinga's primary food is fish which it usually spears through the side with its long pointed beak. Eventually anhinga's need to dry their feathers. They do this by sitting in the sun with their wings outstretched.

Anhinga Chicks

Hungry anhinga chicks at the Shark Valley Unit of the Everglades National Park.