Anhinga Drying his Wings

A view of an Anhinga drying his wings in Largo Central Nature Preserve and Park, Largo, FL.

Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga), soars often resembling a flying cross. Rests in trees or sticks over water; holds wings out to dry because they lack oil glands for water-proofing. Anhingas are caled "snakebirds" for their habit of swimming with just their neck and head showing. They stab fish in the side, then flip it up to swallow head first. They nest in small colonies, often with cormorants and herons. They can be found in freshwater marshes, swamps and rivers and are resident in Florida.