#anhingas

Anhinga, in display Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Black Point Drive Titusville, Florida, USA December, 2019

Catch of the day

Anhingas may not be the prettiest birds at the lagoon but they’re perfectly equipped to make a living in that murky world.

Stealthy and sleek, they glide through the water like torpedos, diving to depths of 60 feet and impaling fish on their built-in serrated spears.

"Black-Bellied Anhinga (Anhinga melanogaster)"

Indian Zoology; Second Edition. Translated from the Latin of Johann Reinhold Forster by John Aikin, M. D. Illustrated by Peter Mazell. 1790.

Photos: Doug Greenberg

"A long-necked, long-tailed swimmer of southeastern swamps. Often seen perched on a snag above the water, with its wings half-spread to dry. Can vary its buoyancy in water, sometimes swimming with only head and neck above water (earning it the nickname of 'Snakebird'). Often solitary when feeding, it roosts in groups and nests in colonies. Looks rather like a cormorant when perched, but not in flight, when the long tail may be spread wide as the Anhinga soars high on outstretched wings. Anhingas are silent at most times, but around nesting colonies they make various croaking and clicking sounds."

BIRDS??? (and an alligator) YEAH BABY WE WENT ON A BIRD TRIP YESTERDAY AND SAW SO MANY COOL FRIENDS

BONUS VIDEO OF THE ROUGH WING

Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) - photo by Don Filipiak

Anhinga, portrait Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Black Point Drive Titusville, Florida, USA December, 2019