Birds of the Everglades -- Anhingas

A female Anhinga catches a fish. Photo by J.J. Meyer

The Anhinga works to turn the fish in its bill.  Photo by J.J. Meyer

The Anhinga then swallows the fish head first.  Photo by J.J. Meyer

A Great Blue Heron swallows its catch.  Photo by J.J. Meyer

     What does The Backyard Birder do in the Everglades?  Go birding, of course.  I took 754 photos, although not all birds; I have plenty of gator shots too.  The first three shots show a female Anhinga preparing to swallow its catch.  She slapped the fish repeatedly against the log before she started to turn it in her bill.  Once she had it head first, she swallowed it whole.  The third photo shows how her neck expanded.  I caught the same feeding sequence with the Great Blue Heron.
     More Everglades photos to come!
     Happy Birding!
     J.J.

National Park Service Bird Checklists

Birds of the Everglades

     When you visit a national park or wildlife refuge, be sure to ask for a bird checklist.  I received this checklist from one of the rangers at the Everglades National Park during our recent trip to Florida.  We walked along the Anhinga Trail seeing a variety of wading birds, cormorants, Purple Gallinules and nesting Anhingas.  And plenty of gators, of course! Check back for photos coming soon.
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      Happy Birding!
      J.J.