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Anhinga

Anhinga anhinga ORDER: PELECANIFORMES FAMILY: ANHINGIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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Anhinga Photo

© William L. Newton / CLO

A bird of southern swamps, the Anhinga is known as the Water-Turkey for its swimming habits and broad tail, and also as the Snake-Bird for its habit of swimming with just its long head and neck sticking out of the water.

Birds of North America Online
For complete information on this species, visit The Birds of North America Online.

At a GlanceHelp

Measurements
Both Sexes
Length
29.5–37.4 in
75–95 cm
Wingspan
42.9 in
109 cm
Weight
46.7–47.6 oz
1325–1350 g
Other Names
  • Water-turkey, Snake-bird
  • Anhinga d'Amérique (French)
  • Anhinga americana, Pato aguja, Cotua agujita, Cotua real, Bigua vibora (Spanish)

Cool Facts

  • The Anhinga is frequently seen soaring high in the sky overhead. It is a graceful flier and can travel long distances without flapping its wings, much in the manner of a Turkey Vulture.

Habitat


Marsh
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Food


Fish
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Nesting

Nest Placement

Shrub
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Behavior


Surface Dive
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Conservation

status via IUCN

Least Concern
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Credits

  • Frederick, P. C., and D. Siegel-Causey. 2000. Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga). In The Birds of North America, No. 522 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.
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Range Map Help

Anhinga Range Map
View dynamic map of eBird sightings
Project FeederWatch