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Anhingidae - Anhingas and Darters

pelican

Classification

 Kingdom: Animalia 
 Phylum: Chordata
 Class: Aves
 Order: Pelecaniformes
 Family: Anhingidae

AnhingaThere are four species of large birds in this family. They are found on lakes, rivers, marshes, swamps, estuaries, lagoons, and bays in tropical and subtropical environments.

Anhingas and darters have long, slender necks; short legs; long, pointed bills; and long tails. Males have a crest of feathers on their neck. Males and females are the same size. Anhingas and darters are brown or black in color.

Anhingas and darters eat mostly fish, but may also eat amphibians, reptiles, insects, and crustaceans.

Males and females form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, and both the male and female incubate the eggs using their webbed feet. Both parents care for and feed the chicks.
galleryAnhingidae Photo Gallery

World Status Key
Least ConcernLeast Concern Near ThreatenedNear Threatened VulnerableVulnerable EndangeredEndangered Critically EndangeredCritically Endangered extinct in the wildExtinct in the Wild extinctExtinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.

U.S. Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in US Endangered in US Endangered in US
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife Click on U.S. status icon to go to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife species profile.
 

New Hampshire Status Key
Threatened in New Hampshire Threatened in NH Endangered in NH Endangered in NH Introduced Introduced
Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Location Key
Africa Africa Asia Asia Australia Australia/Oceania Europe Europe North America North America South America South America New Hampshire Species NH More Info Click for More Info picture Click for Image

  New Hampshire Species

 

 North/Central American Species

None   Anhinga - Anhinga anhinga Least Concern North America South America image More Info

Other Species Around the World

African Darter - Anhinga rufa Least Concern Asia Africa image

 

Australian Darter - Anhinga novaehollandiae Least Concern Asia Australia image More Info
Oriental Darter - Anhinga melanogaster Near Threatened Asia image More Info

Additional Information

Resource Key
profile Profile Photos Photos Video Video Audio Audio

Anhinga - Anhinga anhinga profile Photos Audio Least Concern North America South America
The anhinga is also known as the water-turkey.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Anhinga - Anhinga anhinga profile Photos Least Concern North America South America
Anhingas start flight by either running on the surface of the water or diving from a tree.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Australian Darter - Anhinga novaehollandiae Photos Least Concern Asia Australia
The Australian darter is found in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia.
Source: Australian Bird Image Database Intended Audience: General Reading Level: N/A

Oriental Darter - Anhinga melanogaster Photos Video Near Threatened Asia
The Oriental darter is found in shallow inland wetlands including lakes, rivers, swamps and reservoirs.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School