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A photo of a Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga), male
Anhinga, Male

Anhinga

Anhinga anhinga

The anhinga (/ænˈhɪŋɡə/; Anhinga anhinga), sometimes called snakebird, darter, American darter, or water turkey, is a water bird of the warmer parts of the Americas. The word anhinga comes from the Brazilian Tupi language and means "devil bird" or "snake bird". The origin of the name is apparent when swimming: only the neck appears above water so the bird looks like a snake ready to strike. They do not have external nares (nostrils) and breathe solely through their epiglottis (a section of tissue underneath their tongue towards the back of their throat). The anhinga is placed in the darter family, Anhingidae, and is closely related to Indian (Anhinga melanogaster), African (Anhinga rufa), and Australian (Anhinga novaehollandiae) darters. Like other darters, the anhinga hunts by spearing fish and other small prey using its sharp, slender beak.
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Photos

Sightings

A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Lauren Quigley
Lauren Quigley
Thursday 25 May 2023 - 7:42pm
United States
A map showing the sighting location
🐭
Remi S
Wednesday 24 May 2023 - 1:52pm
United States
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Lauren Quigley
Lauren Quigley
Tuesday 23 May 2023 - 11:44am
United States
A photo of a Anhinga photographed in Ollies Pond United States
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Michele Shaw
Tuesday 23 May 2023 - 3:28am
United States
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