I wish to alternate my posts between scientific and philosophical musings with seems to be at some attention-grabbing birds. Right this moment the fowl is the Anhinga.
The phrase “anhinga” is derived from the native Brazilian Tupi-Guarani language phrase “ana’ĩnĩa,” which interprets to “satan fowl”, “snake fowl” or “evil spirit of the woods.” The Tupi individuals (one of many largest indigenous teams of individuals in Brazil) named the fowl due to its eerie look and looking conduct. Europeans adopted this identify which developed into “anhinga,” the frequent English identify for the species. The scientific identify is Anhinga anhinga. {A lot of animal species have the identical identify for each genus and species, which creates a scientific identify often known as a tautonym.)
Anhingas shouldn’t have oil glands to waterproof their feathers as most water birds do and the microscopic buildings of their feathers permit the water to penetrate by way of the feathers to the pores and skin. This makes them efficient swimmers, not having to battle a buoyant physique. After they swim, most of their physique is underwater with solely the pinnacle and neck uncovered, resembling a swimming snake. After looking, Anhingas sit in shrubs and bushes with their again to the solar and stretch out their waterlogged wings to dry. Their plumage is primarily darkish brown or black with silver-white streaks and spots on the again and wings; the invoice is yellow, and the toes are webbed. They hardly ever stroll on land however are glorious fliers. The pointed invoice and lengthy tail distinction with the same aquatic- dwelling cormorant which has a hooked beak and brief tail.
The Anhinga inhabits a wide range of wetlands, particularly these sheltered by bushes and primarily feeds on small fish, however it might additionally devour amphibians, crustaceans, leeches, and even small reptiles. It hunts by swimming stealthily by way of the water, utilizing its lengthy neck to spear fish. Reasonably than chase a prey merchandise they watch for it to return shut sufficient to assault. The neck, particularly tailored to curve again into an S-shape, permits the fowl to lunge ahead with nice pressure. The fowl is usually referred to as a “darter” due to this motion. As soon as the prey is impaled on its invoice, the Anhinga brings it to the floor to swallow it entire.
Breeding season for Anhingas begins with the males participating in elaborate courtship shows to draw females. The shows typically contain exaggerated actions of their lengthy necks, opening and shutting their payments, and spreading their wings to showcase their placing plumage. As soon as a pair has fashioned, they construct a nest collectively in a colony, sometimes in bushes close to water our bodies reminiscent of swamps, marshes, or lakes, excessive above the bottom. The feminine lays two to 5 pale blue eggs. Each mother and father share incubation duties for about 4 weeks. The hatchlings are altricial, which means they’re born bare and comparatively undeveloped, requiring appreciable care. The chicks develop quickly on a weight loss plan of fish the mother and father deliver them. After about seven to eight weeks, the chicks turn into totally feathered and are able to fledge. At this stage, they depart the nest and start training their flying and looking abilities. The mother and father proceed to assist and feed them throughout this transitional interval till they will fend for themselves.
There are 4 species of Anhinga within the household Anhigidae, one every in Northand and South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
