Anhinga

100 or more Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) were playing around the fountain at the Debary Golf and Country Club this afternoon. I thought it an odd place for such a gathering. I think in my years in Florida I never saw more than one or two of these birds in the same general vicinity.



Also known as the "Snakebird," "Darter," "American Darter," or "Water Turkey," the Anhinga is a water bird found in the warmer parts of the Americas. The name comes from the Brazilian Tupi language and means devil bird or snake bird.



Most of these birds probably weigh about 3 pounds and have a length of about 4 feet. Unlike ducks, the Anhinga is not waterproof. Its feathers become waterlogged which makes the bird barely buoyant. That lack of buoyancy allows it to dive easily and search for underwater prey such as fish and amphibians. Above, one catches a small fish.

These birds are often seen, wings outstretched, drying their feathers around lakes, rivers and ponds.

Check out the days other photos at Phillip's Natural World. . . the other photos and Phillip's Natural World III.