Anhinga anhinga

bird

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July 21, 2026

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The anhinga, scientifically known as Anhinga anhinga, is a fish-eating bird related to cormorants. It is distinguished by its longer neck and a sharply pointed bill, unlike the hooked bill of cormorants. This species is found from the southern United States down to Argentina.1

Anhingas belong to the order Pelecaniformes and are characterized by their long, slender necks and straight, pointed bills. Unlike many other pelecaniforms, their skeletons are not heavily pneumatized, giving them a higher specific gravity that helps them remain underwater while motionless. Their feathers are wettable, which reduces buoyancy and allows them to submerge easily without needing to dive from a height. Anhingas typically climb out of the water to dry their wings in a spread-wing posture before taking flight.23

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darter
The American species, Anhinga anhinga, is widely acknowledged as distinct, but there is debate regarding whether the darters that appear in Africa, Asia, and Oceania constitute one species (A. melanogaster) or whether they should be separated into three (A. melanogaster, A. novaehollandiae, and A. rufa).
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The American species, Anhinga anhinga, is widely acknowledged as distinct, but there is debate regarding whether the darters that appear in Africa, Asia, and Oceania constitute one species (A. melanogaster) or whether they should be separated into three (A. melanogaster, A. novaehollandiae, and A. rufa).
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