Birds diurnal

Anhinga

Anhinga anhinga

Often mistaken for a submerged serpent, the Anhinga is a master underwater hunter and a classic icon of southern wetlands. Watch for its dramatic 'sun-worshipping' pose as it dries its silver-streaked wings on sun-drenched logs.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

straighten

Size

Length: 75-95 cm (30-37 in); Wingspan: 109 cm (43 in); Weight: 1-1.35 kg (2.2-3.0 lb)

palette

Colors

Males are glossy black-green with silver-white streaks on wings and back. Females have a pale tan or buff-colored head, neck, and upper chest.

visibility

Key Features

Extremely long, S-shaped neck with a sharp, dagger-like bill
Silver-gray feather patches on the upper wings and back
Long, fan-shaped tail often referred to as a 'water turkey' tail
Lacks nostrils; breathes exclusively through the mouth

When You’ll See Them

schedule

Activity pattern diurnal

brightness_5

Peak hours 9 AM - 4 PM (Optimal sun-drying hours)

calendar_month

Season Year-round in the deep south; March-September in northern breeding ranges.

restaurant

Diet A specialized piscivore that spears fish underwater using its needle-sharp beak. They also consume aquatic insects, crayfish, and small amphibians.

park

Habitat Freshwater marshes, cypress swamps, slow-moving rivers, and suburban retention ponds in warm climates.

bar_chart
Loading activity data...

Behavior

The Anhinga is most famous for its unique swimming profile. Unlike most water birds, its feathers are not waterproof, which allows it to sink lower in the water to stalk prey more effectively. While swimming, the body is often entirely submerged, leaving only the long, slender neck and head visible. This serpentine appearance is what earned the species the nickname 'snake bird.'

Because their feathers become waterlogged, Anhingas must spend a significant portion of their day perched in the sun with their wings spread wide. This behavior is essential for thermoregulation and drying out their plumage so they can fly. They are solitary hunters but are often found nesting in colonies alongside herons and egrets, where they can be surprisingly vocal with low, gutteral croaks.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

To capture high-quality footage of an Anhinga, you must focus on 'drying perches' rather than the water itself. Look for fallen logs, low-hanging cypress limbs, or dock pilings that receive direct sunlight for several hours a day. Anhingas are creatures of habit and will return to the exact same branch day after day to dry their wings after a morning of fishing. Position your camera at eye level with the perch, roughly 6 to 10 feet away, to capture the intricate silver patterns on their wings.

Since Anhingas move slowly when drying but strike with lightning speed when fishing, use a camera with a fast trigger speed or set it to 'Hybrid Mode' to capture both a high-resolution still and a 20-second video. If your camera is near the water's edge, aim the sensor slightly away from the water surface to avoid false triggers from ripples or sun glint, focusing instead on the solid area where the bird exits the water.

You cannot attract Anhingas with traditional bird feeders, but you can create a 'camera trap' by providing a natural lure. If you have a pond, anchoring a sturdy, horizontal log a few inches above the water line in a sunny spot is the best way to invite them into your camera’s field of view. Make sure the area is quiet; while they tolerate suburban life, they will abandon a perch if there is constant high-speed movement or loud noise nearby.

Check your camera settings for exposure compensation if the bird is perched in bright sun against dark swamp water. A slight underexposure (-0.5 or -1.0) can help prevent the white 'silvering' on the male's wings from being blown out in the midday sun. Seasonal success is highest in the late spring when they are in breeding plumage and their throat pouches (gular skin) turn a vivid blue.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Anhinga.

Double-crested Cormorant

Cormorants have a distinctive hook at the end of their bill, whereas the Anhinga's bill is straight and pointed like a needle.

Great Blue Heron

Herons have much longer legs and fly with their necks tucked in an 'S' shape, while Anhingas fly with their necks fully extended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Anhingas are strictly diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. You are most likely to see them hunting in the early morning and then perching with wings spread to dry from mid-morning through the hottest part of the afternoon.

If you have a backyard pond or lake, the best way to attract Anhingas is to provide a safe, stable perch. A large log or branch anchored in a sunny, quiet spot over the water is an irresistible invitation for them to stop and dry their feathers.

Anhingas eat a variety of small to medium-sized fish. Unlike ducks that grab food with their bills, Anhingas use their sharp, pointed beaks to spear fish through the side before bringing them to the surface to swallow them head-first.

Yes, Anhingas are very common in suburban Florida, the Gulf Coast, and the Southeast, particularly around golf course ponds, drainage canals, and neighborhood retention lakes where fish are plentiful.

Look at the beak and the tail. Anhingas have a straight, pointed beak and a long, fan-shaped tail. Cormorants have a hooked tip on their beak and much shorter tails. Additionally, Anhingas have silver wing patches which cormorants lack.

Record Anhinga at your habitat

Connect a camera to start building your own species record — AI identifies every visitor automatically.

Join free Identify a photo