Birds · Suliformes · Anhingidae

Anhinga

Anhinga anhinga

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The anhinga or snakebird is a waterbird with a long, flexible neck and a straight, sharp bill. It swims with its body submerged and only its neck out of the water, which gives it the look of a snake gliding along. It does not chase fish with its bill open: it spears them with an explosive movement of the neck, thanks to a modified cervical joint that works like a spring.

Weight

1 kg – 1.4 kg

Size

75 cm – 95 cm

Lifespan

16 years

Diet

Carnivore

Feeds mainly on other animals.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

Colony

Lives in large concentrations, often for breeding reasons.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

RainforestFreshwaterCarnivore Diurnal Colonial Bird Rainforest Freshwater

22countries 11parks

Fun facts

adaptaciónIt swims almost entirely submerged, only its neck and head above water, since its feathers are not waterproof and soak through, which reduces its buoyancy as it fishes.
comportamientoIt spreads its wings in the sun after swimming to dry its non-waterproof plumage, a characteristic pose that may also help regulate its body temperature.
It spears its prey: a modified cervical vertebra acts as a spring and shoots the bill forward in a fraction of a second, running the fish through; the bird then shakes it off the bill and swallows it head first.
Its plumage is not waterproof, which reduces buoyancy and makes diving easier, but forces it to spend hours with its wings spread in the sun to dry: without that, it cannot fly.
It swims with its body submerged and only its sinuous neck out of the water, a silhouette that has earned it the name snakebird in almost every language of its range.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (bird)
Habitat & environment: Slow fresh water with vegetation: swamps, mangroves, lagoons and rivers of tropical and subtropical America
Sexual maturity: 2 years
Gestation / incubation: 28 days
Litter / clutch size: 4

Sources consulted: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anhinga