A South American transplant, the Anhinga.
First recorded in 1774 along the St. John’s River (Georgia, USA). It’s thought they had migrated north much earlier but were confused with the Cormorant. The origin of the Anhinga is thought to be the Amazon and were named as ‘Anhinga’ (devil bird) by the Brazilian Tupi tribe.
They are smaller than the local Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets, but more aggressive. They live in the Lowcountry swamps year round and breed in the same local rookery as the other wading birds. They are also rumored to have the ugliest babies in the animal kingdom, and I will vouch for that personally.
Best viewed large.
Stunning shot – and so much details !
I thought I had lost most of it. They are pure black. Thanks
nice capture!!!
Thanks. Strange critters 😆
lol…especially when they’re cruising in the water…they look like a mini Lock-Ness!
LOL, yes. And here they are usually pretty fast. The real monster can be moving along right behind them. The only predator they fear is the Alligator. More than a few times I’ve seen them ‘meet’.
Great body angles. Nice shot.
Thank you. 🙏🙏
Wow! I’ve never seen anything like that 😅😳 amazing shot!
Similar to a Cormorant they swim and hunt underwater. However that sharp beak is used as a spear. Dangerous birds actually.
They also do ‘fish flipping’. Fish must be swallowed head first, the sharp gills are dangerous otherwise. To get the fish in the correct position they toss them in the air, then catch them head first. If the toss is wrong, they give it another go 😆😆. We call it fish flippin. And of course great to photograph. I’m pretty sure there are a few scattered on this site.
Yeahhhh they look a little on the evil side and your description fits that thought 😣😄😅 spear beaks and all! Haha
😆. A biologist once described them as the thugs of the swamp LOL
😆🤣😆🤣
Excellent shot, full of personality. I’ve never seen the babies, I went and had a look on Google Images. You are right, they take some getting used to.
🤣😂🤣 that’s a nice way to put it.