Dolphin Tales: The snake bird
The anhinga is often referred to as the snake bird. It swims under water to fish and as it stretches out to swim, it resembles a water snake. The neck is long and it has a sharp, pointed bill, and a long tail.
Adult males are black with silvery white streaks on the back and wings. During mating season, the male’s blood-red eyes are surrounded by a bright blue patch of skin. The females have a buff tan head, neck and breast all year round. The anhinga nests in trees overhanging water where it builds a bulky platform of sticks.
You will often see the birds in the trees with wings outstretched on the branches as they need to dry their wings after fishing. This is the best opportunity to distinguish the males from females as you see the color of the wings and neck.
The word anhinga comes from the Brazilian Tupian language and means “devil bird” or “snake bird.” The origin of the name is apparent when the bird is swimming. Only the neck appears above the water so the bird looks like a snake ready to strike.
The anhinga is also called a “water turkey” because of the shape of its tail. Interestingly, there is a bayou just west of Tarpon Lodge called Water Turkey Bayou. The aptly named Water Turkey Bayou is in the Pine Island National Wildlife Refuge.
The anhinga swims lower in the water than many other birds due to its reduced buoyancy. This is a result of wetted plumage and dense bones. When at the surface, it tends to swim low in the water, often with only the neck and head above the water.
The anhinga is also an adept soarer. Soaring is a kind of glide in which the anhinga flies in a rising air current also called a thermal. They are graceful fliers and can travel long distances without flapping their wings.
The anhinga lives near streams, fresh and saltwater canals, swamps, bays, lagoons or any watery area that can provide them with food.
The anhinga’s diet is mostly fish. It will also eat water snakes, tadpoles, frog eggs and young alligators. Anhinga hunt by spearing fishes and other small prey with their sharp, slender beaks.
The cormorant also swims underwater to fish and has to outstretch its wings to dry them. Its appearance is quite different. It’s bill curves downward. It has a shorter neck and is quite dark over its entire body. It doesn’t have the silvery streaks and wing patches that the anhinga has.
Captain Cathy Eagle has spent over 40 years boating in our local waters. As a professional charter captain, she specializes in dolphin and nature tours. Visit CaptainCathy.com or call /text 239 994-2572. Welcome aboard!