Species › Birds › Anhinga

Anhinga

Anhinga anhinga

CommonBird
Illustration of Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga)

The Anhinga, also known as the 'snakebird,' swims with its body submerged and only its long, serpentine neck showing above the water. It hunts by stalking fish underwater and impaling them on its sharp bill with a strike of its S-curved neck. Like cormorants, it must spread its wings to dry after diving since it lacks waterproof plumage.

Habitat
Freshwater swamps, lakes, and slow-moving rivers in the Southeast
Diet
Fish, frogs, aquatic invertebrates, and snakes
How common
Common

Best time to see a Anhinga

The best time to see a Anhinga is November–April, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 52,547 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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