A
Species Profile

Anhinga

Anhinga anhinga

Spears fish, then sun-dries in style
Steven Blandin/Shutterstock.com

Anhinga Distribution

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Found in 42 locations

Anhinga

At a Glance

Wild Species
Also Known As Darter, Snakebird, Water turkey
Diet Piscivore
Activity Diurnal+
Lifespan 8 years
Weight 1.35 lbs
Status Least Concern
Did You Know?

Size: 81-91 cm long; wingspan 114-122 cm; mass ~1.0-1.35 kg (adult, varies by sex/region).

Scientific Classification

A fish-eating waterbird known for swimming with only the neck and head above water, giving a ‘snake-like’ appearance; it often dries its wings spread out after diving.

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Suliformes
Family
Anhingidae
Genus
Anhinga
Species
Anhinga anhinga

Distinguishing Features

  • Long, slender neck and straight, sharp, spear-like bill
  • Dives and swims low in the water; often only neck/head visible
  • Frequently perches with wings spread to dry (wings wet easily due to reduced waterproofing)
  • Males typically darker overall; females paler on head/neck

Physical Measurements

Males and females differ in size

Length
♂ 2 ft 11 in (2 ft 8 in – 2 ft 12 in)
♀ 2 ft 9 in (2 ft 8 in – 2 ft 10 in)
Weight
♂ 3 lbs (3 lbs – 3 lbs)
♀ 2 lbs (2 lbs – 3 lbs)
Top Speed
28 mph
About 45 km/h flying

Appearance

Primary Colors
Black Brown White
Secondary Colors
Silver Cream Yellow Gray Blue
Skin Type Feathered body with wettable (less water-repellent) plumage that can become waterlogged after diving; bare gular/throat and facial skin; legs/feet with typical avian scaly skin.
Distinctive Features
  • Size (Anhinga anhinga): length 85-91 cm; wingspan 114-122 cm; mass ~1.0-1.35 kg (commonly cited ranges; e.g., Cornell Lab of Ornithology species account).
  • Long, very slender 'snake-like' neck and small head; when swimming, the body often rides low/submerged with mainly neck and head above water-classic "snakebird" silhouette.
  • Long, straight, sharply pointed bill adapted for underwater spearing of fish; typically emerges from dives with fish impaled, then tosses/positions prey to swallow head-first.
  • Wettable plumage reduces buoyancy and aids diving; after foraging it commonly perches on snags, mangrove branches, or shoreline trees with wings spread to dry (distinctive wing-drying posture).
  • Long, wedge-shaped tail with stiff-appearing feathers, often used as a rudder while swimming and for balance when perching.
  • Typically associated with freshwater wetlands, slow rivers, swamps, and brackish mangroves; often seen perched conspicuously above water before/after dives.
  • Maximum recorded longevity: 12 years 9 months (banding record; USGS Bird Banding Laboratory longevity data).

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexes are similar in shape and size but differ consistently in plumage tone and contrast; males are darker and glossier with stronger pale wing/scapular streaking, while females are browner with a buffier/cream head-neck-chest area.

♂
  • Glossy black overall with more striking white/silvery streaking/edging on upperwings and scapulars (high contrast when wings are spread).
  • Head/neck generally darker (blackish) than female; often looks more uniformly dark at distance.
♀
  • Browner head, neck, and upper breast with buff/cream throat/face, giving a lighter 'front' to the bird.
  • Overall wing pattern contrast typically less stark than adult male; immatures resemble female but are generally duller/browner.

Did You Know?

Size: 81-91 cm long; wingspan 114-122 cm; mass ~1.0-1.35 kg (adult, varies by sex/region).

"Snakebird" nickname comes from its swimming style-often only the head and long neck show above water.

Unlike many seabirds, its plumage is relatively wettable, reducing buoyancy for efficient diving but forcing frequent wing-drying.

Hunts by stabbing fish with its sharp, straight bill, then flipping prey into the air to swallow head-first.

Typical clutch is 2-5 eggs (often 3-4); incubation about 25-30 days; young fledge roughly 42-49 days after hatching.

Recorded longevity (banding record): 12 years 9 months (wild individual).

Often nests in loose colonies with herons/egrets, placing stick nests over water in trees or shrubs.

Unique Adaptations

  • Wettable plumage (reduced water repellency): decreases buoyancy and drag underwater, improving pursuit and strike stability-at the cost of needing to dry feathers before sustained flight.
  • Dagger-like bill and reinforced neck musculature: optimized for fast underwater strikes that spear slippery prey.
  • Flexible cervical vertebrae and "spring-like" neck action: enables quick forward projection of the head for accurate stabbing in low-visibility water.
  • Totipalmate feet (all four toes webbed): powerful propulsion for swimming and maneuvering among submerged vegetation.
  • Low-profile swimming posture: body rides low in the water, helping stealth and reducing wind resistance at the surface.
  • Perching ability in wooded wetlands: long body and strong feet allow stable perching on mangrove limbs/snags where drying and scanning occur.

Interesting Behaviors

  • Underwater stalking and spearing: swims with feet (totipalmate-webbing connects all four toes) and uses rapid neck thrusts to impale fish.
  • "Periscope" travel: cruises at the surface with body submerged and only neck/head visible-an anti-detection profile and classic snake-like silhouette.
  • Wing-drying posture: after repeated dives, perches upright with wings spread (sometimes tail fanned) to dry and warm flight feathers.
  • Perch-and-watch hunting: frequently pauses on snags, mangrove branches, or posts over water to scan for fish before diving again.
  • Colony nesting: builds a platform of sticks; mates share incubation and chick-feeding; adults often commute between colony trees and feeding marshes.
  • Thermal basking: uses sun and wing-spread posture to raise body temperature after cooling in water, improving muscle performance for flight and diving.

Cultural Significance

The Anhinga (American Darter, Anhinga anhinga) is an Everglades and mangrove wetland bird used in nature education to show diving and why its feathers get wet and dry. Its wing‑drying pose is common in photos and signs. The name comes from Tupi‑Guarani, meaning "devil" or "snake bird."

Myths & Legends

Name-legend/etymology from Tupi-Guarani: "anhinga" is commonly explained as meaning a spirit-like or "devil" bird (often linked to its eerie, snake-necked appearance and low-in-the-water swimming).

Regional folk naming in the American South: "snakebird" as a traditional vernacular label, tied to the uncanny sight of a 'serpent' gliding across still swamp water with only head and neck exposed.

Early naturalists and old travel writers often told that the Anhinga (American Darter) (Anhinga anhinga) looks like a snake when it swims, a lasting image in wetland stories.

Conservation Status

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant in the wild.

Population Increasing

Protected Under

  • United States: Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) (16 U.S.C. §§ 703-712) protects the species from take, possession, and trade without permits.
  • Protected in many parts of its range through national/state/provincial wildlife laws and occurrence within protected areas (e.g., wildlife refuges, wetland reserves, and parks) that safeguard rookeries and key wetlands.

Life Cycle

Birth 4 chicks
Lifespan 8 years

Lifespan

In the Wild
2–12.75 years
In Captivity
3–16 years

Reproduction

Mating System Monogamy
Social Structure Socially Monogamous
Breeding Pattern Seasonal
Fertilization Internal Fertilization
Birth Type Internal_fertilization

Anhinga (American Darter, Anhinga anhinga) is socially monogamous, forming seasonal male–female pairs that nest in loose colonies. Males court at nests; pairs build stick nests, both incubate and feed young (2–5 eggs, 25–30 day incubation, ~6 weeks). No helpers.

Behavior & Ecology

Social Colony Group: 30
Activity Diurnal, Matutinal, Vespertine
Diet Piscivore Small, shallow-water fish-especially slow-moving/vegetation-associated species such as sunfishes (Lepomis spp.) and killifishes (Fundulus spp.)
Seasonal Migratory 621 mi

Temperament

Generally wary but not highly aggressive away from nests; individuals often tolerate close proximity at communal roosts/colonies (Birds of the World: Anhinga).
Strongly territorial at the nest and in the immediate nesting tree area; threat postures, bill-jabbing, and displacement are most frequent during nest building and early chick stages (Birds of the World: Anhinga).
Often gregarious in loafing contexts: prolonged wing-spreading to dry after diving commonly occurs side-by-side at roosts and colony perches, creating 'loafing assemblies' that can be large when conditions concentrate birds.
Anhinga (American Darter) hunts alone but roosts and nests in groups; colony size and how social they are change with season, water levels, food availability, and safe nesting places.
USGS Bird Banding Laboratory records show Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) banded birds can live into their mid-teens. This maximum age is used in North American population studies.

Communication

Generally quiet as adults; most vocal activity centers on the nest/colony.
Hisses, grunts, and low croaks used at close range in agonistic and nest interactions Described in Birds of the World: Anhinga
Nestlings/brood produce repetitive begging calls that are louder and more frequent than adult calls, functioning in parent-chick coordination within dense colonies Birds of the World: Anhinga
Visual threat displays: neck extension, bill pointing/jabbing, and posture changes; used to defend the nest site and immediate perch space in colonies Birds of the World: Anhinga
Courtship and pair-maintenance displays: wing-waving/wing-lifting, head movements, and presentation of nest material; largely visual and performed at close range in colony settings Birds of the World: Anhinga
Communal cueing at roosts: synchronized wing-spreading/drying and movement to/from roost trees provides social information (safe perch use, disturbance response), with rapid group flushes when alarmed.
Spatial signaling: nest placement and repeated use of established colony/roost sites act as long-term social 'signals'-individuals preferentially join active sites, reinforcing colony tradition across years when habitat remains suitable Documented broadly for colonial waterbirds; see Kushlan & Hancock 2005 for colony dynamics context

Habitat

Wetland Swamp Marsh Lake River/Stream Pond Estuary Mangrove Coastal +3
Biomes:
Freshwater Wetland Marine
Terrain:
Coastal Riverine Plains Valley Muddy
Elevation: Up to 3280 ft 10 in

Ecological Role

Mid-upper trophic-level wetland piscivore that links aquatic prey production to colonial roost/nest sites.

Regulates populations of small fishes in shallow fresh/brackish systems (top-down predation) Transfers aquatic-derived nutrients to terrestrial/aerial habitats via guano at roosts and colonies (nutrient cycling) Serves as a bioindicator of wetland food-web condition and fish availability (diet/foraging success reflects habitat quality)

Diet Details

Main Prey:
Small freshwater and brackish fish Catfish Cichlids/tilapias Crayfish

Human Interaction

Domestication Status

Wild

Anhinga (American Darter) (Anhinga anhinga) is fully wild with no domestication or pet history. Captivity occurs only in licensed zoos, rehabilitation, or research. Like other Anhingidae darters, they need healthy wetlands and fish, so habitat loss, pollution, rookery disturbance, and fishing line or nets harm them. They are valued for birdwatching and wetland education.

Danger Level

Low
  • Physical injury during handling: the long, sharp bill can cause puncture wounds or eye injury if a bird is cornered or improperly handled (not a typical risk to casual observers).
  • Zoonotic/health considerations common to wild birds: potential exposure to enteric bacteria (e.g., Salmonella spp.) or avian influenza viruses when handling sick/dead birds or contaminated feces; risk is low for observers and higher for rehabilitators without PPE.
  • Aggression is usually limited to nest defense or when trapped; otherwise the species typically avoids close human contact.

As a Pet

Not Suitable as Pet

Legality: Generally not legal to keep as a pet. In the United States, Anhinga anhinga is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA); possession or trade needs federal permits (rehab, education, science).

Care Level: Expert Only

Purchase Cost:
Lifetime Cost: $15,000 - $60,000

Economic Value

Uses:
Ecotourism and birdwatching value Ecosystem indicator value (wetland health / fish-community changes) Education and research (behavior, wetland ecology, diving physiology) Non-market cultural value (wildlife viewing/photography)
Products:
  • No standard consumptive products; the species is primarily associated with non-consumptive economic value (guided wildlife tours, park visitation, photography).
  • Occasional costs to fisheries are indirect and localized (perceived competition for fish), but documented, market-quantified damages are typically minimal compared with habitat and recreation values.

Relationships

Predators 6

Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Osprey
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus
American Alligator
American Alligator Alligator mississippiensis
Raccoon
Raccoon Procyon lotor
Fish Crow Corvus ossifragus

Related Species 3

Australasian Darter Anhinga novaehollandiae Shared Genus
Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster Shared Genus
African Darter Anhinga rufa Shared Genus

Ecological Equivalents 4

Animals that fill a similar ecological role in their ecosystem

Double-crested Cormorant Nannopterum auritum Ecological analogue as a pursuit-diving, fish-eating waterbird; overlaps strongly in prey type (small-to-medium fish) and in foraging habitat (lakes, rivers, estuaries). Like Anhinga anhinga, it often surfaces after dives and may perch with wings outstretched to dry because of wettable plumage.
Neotropic Cormorant Nannopterum brasilianum Occupies a similar niche in warm freshwater and brackish systems. Both are agile underwater pursuit divers that capture fish by chasing rather than plunge-diving, and frequently use emergent snags or structures as post-foraging roosts/perches.
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Functional counterpart in many regions: a large-bodied, foot-propelled underwater predator specializing in fish. Shares behaviors of extended underwater swimming, surfacing with prey, and regularly spreading wings to dry after repeated dives.
Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis Overlaps in coastal/estuarine fish-based food webs and roosting ecology (colonial nesting/communal roosts in some areas), though it differs in capture strategy (plunge-diving vs. underwater pursuit). Included as a common co-occurring fish-dependent waterbird in Anhinga habitats.

The anhinga is a type of water bird known for its snake-hunting abilities. Some of its other names are snakebird, American darter, or water turkey — all of which refer to some aspect of its unique personality and appearance. Anhingas are often mistaken for cormorants due to their similar appearance. Because of their ability to thrive in a variety of areas, they’re known to represent adaptability. 

Where to Find Anhingas

The best place to find them is in South America. They can be found year-round in all of Brazil, French Guiana, Suriname, and Guyana, as well as occasionally in some of the surrounding countries such as Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, and Argentina. Further north, year-round populations can be found along the coastal areas of Mexico and the southeastern United States. In the United States, the best place to find an anhinga any time of the year is in Florida. You can, however, find them further north into Texas and coastal Georgia during their summer breeding months.

When you’re setting out to find one, it’s best to look around freshwater sources. Anhingas prefer shallow, slow-moving water, such as in marshes. Here, you can find them swimming or sunbathing. They are also seen flying occasionally.

Anhinga Nests

You’ll be surprised to learn that they are actually colony-based birds. They often nest in groups of pairs, which can sometimes include hundreds of individuals. Not only will they nest around other anhingas, but they’ve also been known to nest around other types of colonial birds, like waterfowl.

Males build their nests even before they have a mate. Typically, these nests are in trees that are close to the water, or even hanging over the water. The base of the nest is compact and made of sticks. However, they line it with softer materials, such as leaves, twigs, and cattails. If the nest has been used for a while, its exterior may have a white coating from their waste. 

Anhinga Scientific Name

The anhinga’s scientific name is Anhinga anhinga. There are two subspecies: A. a. anhinga and A. a. leucogaster. Its class is Aves, as with many other birds, and it belongs to the family of Anhingidae.

Anhinga Size, Appearance, & Behavior

The anhinga is a rather large bird. They have a length of around 35 inches, and they weigh up to three pounds. Their wingspan is around 3.7 feet. A. a. anhinga is larger than A. a. leucogaster, though both subspecies have similar average sizes.

Anhingas have many notable features. First, they have a large bill that can be twice as long as their head. It comes to a sharp point that helps them to hunt, and it can easily be seen thanks to its yellow color. As water birds, they also have yellow webbed feet.

They display sexual dimorphism, which means males and females look different. Males are a glossy black with blue and green hues, much like a crow or raven. In certain areas, such as the base of their wings and tails, there is less of a green hue. The upper body and neck have white streaks, which may have a purple hue. Females are similar, but have a lighter, buff or tan neck and head, while the rest of their body is similar to the male’s. Hatchlings’ first set of down is brown. It is replaced by a second white down before turning into brown feathers. As they reach maturity, they will develop the right colors depending on whether they are male or female.

The anhinga is named for its long, snake-like neck. However, it has also garnered common names referring to its wide, fanned tail that resembles that of a turkey. 

Migration Pattern and Timing

Migration is not common in anhingas. This is because a majority of the population is situated in year-round areas. However, during their breeding season, they may travel further north into the United States. This means that, rather than being found only around the coasts, they can be found deeper into Central Texas and along the southeastern coast in Georgia.

Anhinga Fishing

They don’t have waterproof feathers. This allows them to fully submerge themselves underwater to hunt.

©Jean-Baptiste Toussaint/Shutterstock.com

Anhinga Diet

The anhinga is different than most water birds. It has dense bones and no waterproof coating on its feathers. This allows them to fully submerge in water and dive for their prey.

What do anhingas eat?

Anhingas eat most of the common prey found in their choice of water sources. This includes snakes, crawfish, catfish, black bass, mullets, sunfish, crabs, shrimp, and tadpoles.

Anhinga Predators and Threats

The anhinga is considered to be a species of least concern. However, their population was last assessed in 2016 and was determined to be declining. 

There are two main non-natural threats currently impacting the anhinga population in the western hemisphere. This includes loss of resources and pollution. Urbanization and overfishing have greatly reduced the food and space available to the anhinga, while pollution can cause illness in the ecosystems where they live.

Some natural predators also pose a risk for anhingas. 

What eats anhingas?

As large predatory birds, there are not many predators of the anhinga. For the young, they are at risk of other large birds, especially hawks. However, anhingas at all stages of life are preyed on by crocodiles and alligators. 

While the parents are away hunting, hawks can easily swoop into the nest and steal away young anhingas. For those hanging over the water, alligators and crocodiles may be able to jump up and capture the young as prey. Adults are also at risk of being attacked by large reptiles. This most often occurs while they are submerged in the water and hunting. Due to their neutral buoyancy and dense bones, anhingas cannot float for long on top of the water. As a result, attacks rarely occur on the surface. 

Anhinga Reproduction, Babies, and Lifespan

Anhinga and nest

They often nest in groups of pairs, which can sometimes include hundreds of individuals.

©Bob Pool/Shutterstock.com

Anhingas lay anywhere from 2 to 6 eggs per clutch. Their eggs are pointed on one end and have a greenish-blue hue. The eggs are longer than they are wide, with the largest of eggs measuring around 2 inches long and 1.5 inches wide. 

The incubation period for anhingas is around 26 to 30 days. After this, the hatchlings emerge and are completely dependent on their parents. They begin to grow their down and feathers, and, at three weeks, they can gain mobility and move around the inside and outside of the nest. They become fledglings at around six weeks old. 

However, even after fledging, young anhingas won’t leave the nest for several more weeks. They reach sexual maturity at around two years of age, at which time they will begin to construct their own nests and lay eggs. 

Anhingas are monogamous and will mate for life. The oldest anhinga ever was 12 years old.

Anhinga Population

Although past assessments have shown the anhinga population to be of the least concern, there are no exact numbers of individuals. It is estimated that there are as many as two million individuals. However, due to the impact of the loss of habitat, their population is considered to be in decline. 

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Sources

  1. IUCN / Accessed November 8, 2022
Megan Martin

About the Author

Megan Martin

Megan is a writer at A-Z Animals where her primary focus is birds, felines, and sharks. She has been researching and writing about animals for four years, and she holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with minors in biology and professional and technical writing from Wingate University, which she earned in 2022. A resident of North Carolina, Megan is an avid birdwatcher that enjoys spending time with her cats and exploring local zoological parks with her husband.

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Anhinga FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Not all populations of anhingas migrate. However, they can. During the breeding season, they can be found further north in the United States. After this time is over, however, they will return to their year-round residential areas.

View Anhinga Photos