Find something interesting??

· by

Anhingas are often seen diving into ponds and open water, as underwater fishing is their specialty. But this fellow looked a little awkward, leaning WAY over the railing, apparently peering at something tasty among these densely growing emergent plants in very shallow water.

We frequently see Anhingas dive into open water, swim around, and then pop up several feet or yards away. ” …their waterlogged feathers allow them to dive easily and search for underwater prey, such as fish and amphibians.” (National Park Service). “… the microstructure of the feathers lets water into tiny spaces inside them . . .and the resulting loss of buoyancy helps birds submerge and forage.” (David Sibley’s Guide to Bird Life and Behavior (2001, p.166).

But this ‘snake bird’ was contemplating an open spot in the shallow water barely large enough – or deep enough – for his rather large body.

Nonetheless, a moment later, much to my delight, the Anhinga actually dove straight down and swam off into a little patch of water barely visible between the plants.

You may have seen an Anhinga after a dive, with wings spread, ‘drying off’ on a tree branch. “Anhingas have unusually low metabolic rates and unusually high rates of body-heat loss. The spread-wing posture allows them to absorb solar energy to supplement their low metabolic heat production and to offset their high rate of heat loss.” (National Park Service)

Contrary to popular opinion about the Anhinga‘s plumage lacking oils, David Sibley’s Guide to Bird Life and Behavior (2001, p.166) explains further that they “have poor insulation and low metabolic rates” so that even after their wings dry, they warm up by keeping their wings spread to “maximize solar energy gain.”

17 thoughts on “Find something interesting??”

  4. Wonderful post and photographs.

    Growing up in Florida, we called Anhingas “Water Turkeys” due to their patterned tails. They always outfished us, and it was not unusual to have them dive under the boat and try to steal the bait off our hooks. We were lucky not to hook them.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment