The Anhinga

The Anhinga (/ænˈhɪŋɡə/; Anhinga anhinga), sometimes called Snakebird, Darter, American Darter, or Water Turkey. Anhinga species are found all over the world in warm shallow waters, known to be an aquatic predator.

It is a cormorant-like bird with an average body length of 85 cm (33 in), a wingspan of 117 cm (46 in). It is a dark-plumaged piscivore with a very long neck, and often swims with only the neck above water.

Like other darters, the Anhinga hunts by spearing fishes and other small prey using its sharp, slender beak.The diet consists of many small- to medium-sized wetland fishes, with very small amounts of crustaceans and invertebrates. Anhingas typically spear fish through their sides with a rapid thrust of their partially opened bill. Usually stabs with both mandibles, but may use upper mandible only on small fish. The side-spearing habit of the Anhinga suggests that the usual hunting method is by stalking rather than pursuit.

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.

Note: The anhinga bird is really hard to control, so if fishing in a shallow warm area, be watchful for thier attacks, mostly on fries of young catfish and tilapia.

#aquaticpredators