 |
The
Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga), sometimes called Snakebird,
Darter, or American Darter, is a water bird of the warmer
parts of North America and South America. It is a cormorant-like
bird with an average body length of 85 cm, a wingspan
of 117 cm, and a weight of 1350 g. It is a dark-plumaged
fish-eater with a very long neck, and often swims with
only the neck above water. The Anhinga is a member of
the darter family, Anhingidae, and is closely related
to Indian (Anhinga melanogaster), African (Anhinga rufa),
and Australian (Anhinga novaehollandiae) Darters. The
Anhinga's feathers are not waterproofed by oils like those
of ducks, and can get waterlogged, causing the bird to
become barely bouyant. However, this allows it to dive
easily and search for fish under the water. It can stay
down for significant periods. Anhinga drying its feathers,
Costa RicaWhen necessary, the Anhinga will dry out its
wings and feathers. |
|
|
The
Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga), sometimes called Snakebird,
Darter, or American Darter, is a water bird of the warmer
parts of North America and South America. It is a cormorant-like
bird with an average body length of 85 cm, a wingspan
of 117 cm, and a weight of 1350 g. It is a dark-plumaged
fish-eater with a very long neck, and often swims with
only the neck above water. The Anhinga is a member of
the darter family, Anhingidae, and is closely related
to Indian (Anhinga melanogaster), African (Anhinga rufa),
and Australian (Anhinga novaehollandiae) Darters. The
Anhinga's feathers are not waterproofed by oils like those
of ducks, and can get waterlogged, causing the bird to
become barely bouyant. However, this allows it to dive
easily and search for fish under the water. It can stay
down for significant periods. Anhinga drying its feathers,
Costa RicaWhen necessary, the Anhinga will dry out its
wings and feathers. |
|
