Anhinga

Cornell’s All About Birds

Wilde Lake, April 21-22, 2023

Guy DiRoma
Kelsey Wellons
Steve Luke
Mary Lou Clark
Gregg Petersen
Yi-ying Lee
David Sandler
Matt Plough
Lynn Gregg
Jeff Culler

Wilde Lake, September 18-19, 2022

Joe Hanfman
Mary Lou Clark
Howard Patterson
Bonnie Ott
Mary Lou Clark
Bill Hill
David Cummings
Kurt Schwarz
Kurt Schwarz
Kurt Schwarz
Bonnie Ott
Howard Patterson


Comparison of Anhinga and Double-crested Cormorant

Two birds on left are Double-crested Cormorants; bird on right is an Anhinga (click to enlarge)

Anhinga

  • Slim head
  • Long slender neck
  • Long, thin pointed bill
  • Large silvery wing patches
  • Long fan-shaped tail with light tip
  • In flight, neck is extended
  • May look like a snake swimming with only head and neck exposed

 

Double-crested Cormorant

  • Larger head
  • Stout neck
  • Blunt bill with hooked tip
  • All dark wings
  • Shorter tail
  • In flight, neck has kink
  • Swims with body low in water

While not necessary for common species, it is good to get into the habit of including photographs and recordings/spectrographs so that you do it for uncommon species that require more documentation.