About the Anhinga
The anhinga, sometimes called darter, American darter, snakebird, or water turkey, is a water bird of the warmer parts of the Americas. The word anhinga comes from a'ñinga in the Brazilian Tupi language and means "devil bird" or "snake bird". The origin of the name is apparent when swimming: only the neck appears above water, so the bird looks like a snake ready to strike. They do not have external nares (nostrils) and breathe solely through their epiglottis, via small opercula at the corners of the beak.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The anhinga is a large bird, measuring approximately 89 cm (35 in) in length (with a range of 75–95 cm (30–37 in)), with a 1.14 m (3.7 ft) wingspan. The A. a. anhinga subspecies is larger than A. a. leucogaster and has broader buffy tail tips. They weigh on average around 1.22 kg (2.7 lb), with a range of 1.04–1.35 kg (2.3–3.0 lb). The bill is relatively long (about twice the length of the head), sharply pointed, and yellow, and the webbed feet are yellow as well. The male is glossy black-green, including its wings and the base of its wings, while its tail is glossy black-blue.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Canada.
When to see it
Peak activity in January · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Australasian DarterAnhinga novaehollandiaeThe Australasian darter is a slim bird measuring 86–94 cm (34–37 in) long with a snakelike slender neck.
Oriental DarterAnhinga melanogasterThe Oriental darter is like all other anhingas, a cormorant-like species that has a very long neck.
African DarterAnhinga rufaThe African darter is 80 cm (31 in) long.
Side by side: Anhinga vs Australasian Darter · Anhinga vs Oriental Darter · African Darter vs Anhinga
Learn the Anhinga for real
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