A slender waterbird with a long, sinuous neck, a straight, sharp spear-like bill, and a long, fanned tail with pale-tipped feathers. The male's plumage in the breeding season is jet black with white spots on the wings and ornamental plumes on the neck. The female has a cream or light brown head, neck and breast. Unlike the cormorants, its plumage is not fully waterproof, which explains its habit of drying its wings spread out. Length: 55 to 97 cm.
Behaviour
Fishes by diving with a unique technique: it swims underwater propelling itself with its feet and uses its long, spring-like neck to launch its bill like an arrow, spearing fish with extreme precision. It then climbs to an exposed branch over the water and spreads its wings symmetrically to dry them in the sun in a very characteristic, static posture.
How and when to see it
Year round. Easy to spot perched on branches over the water with its wings open. Boat or kayak trips along channels with riverbank vegetation guarantee the sighting.
Where to see it in the Iberá
The gateways of the Great Iberá Park where anhinga has confirmed presence:
Tours to see it
Verified providers operating at the gateways where anhinga lives. You contact them directly on WhatsApp from the app.
- Esteros Ñe’é
Experiencias con relato local y mirada cultural sobre los esteros.★ 5 - Salvaje Iberá
Senderismo, cicloturismo, safari fotográfico, avistaje de fauna, paseos largos en el día…★ 5 - Gaucho Argentino
Travesías a caballo por una red de refugios en el Iberá. Cabalgatas de varios días con…★ 5 - Reserva Natural Don Luis
Reserva natural privada en Portal Cambyretá, gestionada por la Fundación Cambyretá…★ 5
Species profile
- Common nameAnhinga
- Scientific nameAnhinga anhinga
- GroupBird
- StatusNative
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