The magnificent Anhinga gets its name from the Brazilian Tupi language, meaning ‘snake bird’.
The magnificent Anhinga gets its name from the Brazilian Tupi language, meaning ‘snake bird,’ thanks to its sneaky swimming style where only its neck and head make a cameo above the water.
Without nostrils, Anhingas breathe solely through their epiglottis. They hang out in warm, shallow waters and swamplands around the world, using their webbed feet to paddle underwater in a fish-chasing frenzy for lunch. Sporting glossy black-green feathers with splashes of white on their tails, males and females are nearly identical—except females flaunt a pale grey or light brown neck and upper chest, adding a touch of colour to the monochrome look.
While these birds can fly, they’re not fans of long-distance flights when their feathers are wet. Clearly, they've prioritised their underwater game over airborne grace.