Photo © 2005 Jim Jung and licensors. All rights reserved.

Anhingas

Yes, you read that right... Anhingas! They only visit the southern end of Illinois and the bootheel of Missouri, but they're now nesting regularly at Reelfoot Lake and in the Mississippi bayous of Kentucky.

These extremely primitive looking birds are seen along rivers, lakes and swamps with open water where they feed on fish. Unlike Pelicans, Terns, Gulls and nearly all other waterbirds, Anhingas catch fish by swimming down to them and catching them underwater which is an odd thing for this bird to do since it lacks the oils in its feathers to keep them from getting thoroughly soaked. As a result Anhingas are most often spotted perched awkwardly in trees with their wings outspread drying their feathers before taking the plunge again.

Anhingas, if the old records are correct, used to nest in the swamplands of Alexander County in the early 19th century. However these birds were made to feel unwelcome (the locals used them for target practice) and they left. Anhingas are now seen along the lower Big Muddy River in Illinois and throughout the twelve southernmost Illinois counties in season.

Keep your eyes open when near a large body of water this summer. If you see a long, dark pointed head on a sinuous, snakelike neck with nothing else above water you might be seeing an Anhinga.

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