Anhinga

Their neck vertebrae have a hinge mechanism that allows it to dart its long neck and pierce its prey quickly

Hugoesteban14

Also known as the “snake bird,” it is known to swim with only its long neck and head above the water, giving it the appearance of a serpent. It is a large waterbird found in fresh and brackish water bodies of North America’s coasts, including southwest USA and Mexico. They are also found in Central and South America.

The most notable feature of this bird is its unique hunting strategy. It targets slow-moving fish and employs its long and sharp bill to jab and catches the fish rapidly. It subsequently flips the prey above water and swallows it head-first. They can often be seen spreading their wings out in the sun. They do so to dry their wings, as they lack the oil gland that waterproofs feathers.

They perform elaborate courtship displays during the breeding season and form pair bonds that last for years. Both parents look after the clutch of 2-5 eggs.

Distribution

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Antigua & Barbuda
2016
Non-Breeding
Argentina
2016
Bahamas
2016
Non-Breeding
Barbados
2016
Non-Breeding
Belize
2016
Bolivia
2016
Brazil
2016
Canada
2016
Non-Breeding
Cayman Islands
2016
Non-Breeding
Colombia
2016
Costa Rica
2016
Cuba
2016
Dominica
2016
Non-Breeding
Dominican Republic
2016
Non-Breeding
Ecuador
2016
El Salvador
2016
French Guiana
2016
Grenada
2016
Non-Breeding
Guadeloupe
2016
Non-Breeding
Guatemala
2016
Guyana
2016
Haiti
2016
Non-Breeding
Honduras
2016
Jamaica
2016
Vagrant
Martinique
2016
Non-Breeding
Mexico
2016
Montserrat
2016
Non-Breeding
Nicaragua
2016
Panama
2016
Paraguay
2016
Peru
2016
Saint Lucia
2016
Non-Breeding
Saint Vincent
2016
Non-Breeding
St. Kitts & Nevis
2016
Non-Breeding
Suriname
2016
Trinidad & Tobago
2016
Non-Breeding
Turks & Caicos
2016
Non-Breeding
United States
2016
Breeding
Uruguay
2016
Breeding
Venezuela
2016

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Terrestrial / Aquatic

Altricial / Precocial

Polygamous / Monogamous

Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd

Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

Migratory: Yes / No

Domesticated: Yes / No

Dangerous: Yes / No