The Anhinga is also known as the Snake Bird, because when it surfaces
all that shows is its long skinny neck and sharp beak - and
at first glance it sometimes looks like a snake.
(Snakes
are taken seriously out here. A Cottonmouth
snake is more aggressive and deadly than any alligator.)
Anhingas are
very similar to Cormorants. They
are both diving birds and can swim quite a distance underwater
to catch fish.
Their
feathers are very oily to assist their diving and protect them
from exposure to the water. When they are not fishing you will
see them on posts or dead tree branches with their wings spread
to dry in the breeze.
The Anhinga has
a straight sharp, serrated bill that it stabs fish with. It
will spear a fish through the middle, toss it in the air, and
catch it face first and swallow it whole.
