March 2002
Water Conservation Area 3A

Anhinga (American Darter), Anhinga anhinga
JD, Jeff, and I used a sirvo remoted controlled nest trap to catch this adult female
We were collecting feathers for mercury analysis and taking morphometric measurements (wing chord, culmen length, etc.)
Anhingas lack oil glands to waterproof their feathers so they are often seen along waterways with its wings spread in order
to dry them.
Nestling Anhingas would sometimes regurgitate partially digested fish on us as we removed them from the nest for
morphometric analysis.  They would also rapidly flutter their gular pouches (on throat) at such times.  Perhaps a stress
response?
Anhingas are also called Snakebirds because of the way they coil their neck and spear fish with their bill.
Their flight consists of several rapid but swallow wing beats between soaring.  In flight they remind me of gliders.