ABOUT THIS SPECIES
ANHINGA – (Species Account Weblog #76)
TAXONOMIC TREE:
- ORDER: Suliformes,
- FAMILY: Anhingidae,
- BINOMIAL NAME: Anhinga anhinga
The Anhinga is among the many most distinctive of North American birds, with lengthy, snakelike neck, straight invoice, massive fanlike tail resembling that of a turkey (Meleagris gallopavo; from which the previous identify Water Turkey was derived), corrugations on its central rectrices, and distinctive swimming, flight, and conduct patterns. This really aquatic species spends its life in water or on branches overhanging protected, normally freshwater streams and ponds. Not like most aquatic birds, Anhingas have absolutely wettable plumage and dense bones, variations that enable them to attain impartial buoyancy in water, facilitating a sluggish, stalking searching behavior whereas submerged in shallow aquatic vegetation, the place they spear fish. (from Birds of the World)
SIMILAR SPECIES
Anhinga is the one member of its household (Anhingidae) within the Americas. Whether or not it’s perched, flying, or swimming, the distinctive construction and plumage sample of the Anhinga make it unlikely to be confused with some other species within the Americas.
DISTRIBUTION
PERSONAL OBSERVATION ANECDOTES
In Costa Rica we noticed Anhinga close to the Chilamate Rainforest EcoRetret and whereas on the boat tour on the mouth of the Tárcoles River.
PHOTO GALLERY
**A few of these Picture Gallery photos (all taken by me) have been taken in different close by international locations.
RECENT BLOG POSTS
View the 5 most up-to-date Birds & Birding in Costa Rica sequence weblog posts beneath.
