Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Anhinga

As can be best determined, the Anhinga no longer breeds in Oklahoma, but once did so.  Foremost authority on breeding birds, data from the late George Miksch Sutton listed this bird as a breeder in 1937 in McCurtain County, most likely at Red Slough WMA which did not exist then.  After a period of time, the bird was sighted by a well-known biologist at Red Slough in 1974, when it was first recorded on eBird, still observed recently as a species.

There were later breeding records in Sequoyah County from 1971 to 1972(last seen as a species in 2014 via eBird), and at Little River NWR from 1991-1993( last seen May of 2018 as a species via eBird).

The snake-bird is uncommon, and found in wooded swamps, as well as along canals and ponds.  They tend to form small groupings, roosting in trees over water.  It has the attributes of both diving and water birds, which serve it well.  They are often confused with cormorants, but are much larger and have a thinner build.

                                                                 Male Anhinga
                                                      Estero Llano Grande, TX 2017

Male water crows are beautiful in breeding plumage with green lores, a black crest and silver offsets on the wings and upper back.  The body appears to look like a glossy greenish black.   While submerged in water, often the head and bill are the only parts of the bird seen.  The tail is used as a fan-shaped rudder.

As breeding birds, they are colonial with nests no greater than a dozen, anywhere from six to twenty feet over water.  Branches, twigs and leaves are used for construction from substrate to lining.  Nest sites are sometimes reused over the years.

These monogamous birds breed in their second or third year.  Males establish territory by taking old nests or building new framework.  They will display upon these structures by bowing, wing-waving, and feather ruffling.  Females respond to the nest and repeat this behavior.  Pairing occurs shortly thereafter, as well as copulation.  The male will gather nesting material and the female places it where she will.  A few days later after construction is complete, egg laying begins.  Hatchlings are bald, but begin to gain a tan down in a couple of weeks, followed by a white one.

These neotropical migrants only migrate if in the extreme north and south of their ranges.

Hanging Out In the Lower Rio Grande Valley with the Birds:

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2017/02/representatives-of-days-3-through-5-in.html