Anhingas, also known as snakebirds or water turkeys, are large waterbirds that are a somewhat common sight in parts of Texas. Anhingas are part of the Anhingidae family, with only four different species found worldwide. The anhinga species found in Texas is the Anhinga anhinga, also known as the American darter or American anhinga. So yes, anhingas do live in Texas!
Do anhingas live year round in Texas or are they migratory?
Anhingas are migratory birds that spend winters in Texas but travel north in the spring and summer for breeding. They arrive in Texas in September and October and stay until April or May before heading north again. Their migration routes take them through Central America and Mexico. Anhingas do not breed in Texas, though some immature non-breeding individuals may remain in the state year-round.
Anhinga Migration Patterns
Here are some more details on the migration patterns of anhingas in Texas:
- Most anhingas arrive in Texas in September and October from their breeding grounds further north.
- They spend the winter months in wetlands, lakes, and rivers throughout eastern, southern, and coastal Texas.
- Northward migration begins in March and April as they return to breeding areas.
- Some young anhingas may stay in Texas year-round until they are old enough to migrate and breed.
- Breeding typically occurs in freshwater wetlands across the southern United States and up to the Great Lakes and southern Canada.
- After breeding, anhingas gradually migrate south again in late summer and fall.
So in summary, anhingas are present in Texas mainly as wintering birds from September/October through April/May, with some exceptions for young non-breeding anhingas that may stay in Texas year-round.
In what parts of Texas can anhingas be found?
Anhingas can be found in many bodies of water across eastern, southern, coastal, and central Texas during the winter months. Here are some more details on their range in Texas:
Eastern Texas
In eastern Texas, anhingas winter on lakes, rivers, and wetlands across the Piney Woods and Coastal Plains. Some top spots include:
- Caddo Lake
- Lake O’ the Pines
- Lake Sam Rayburn
- Toledo Bend Reservoir
- Lake Livingston
- Lake Conroe
- Lake Houston
- Trinity River
- Neches River
- Big Thicket National Preserve wetlands
Southern Texas
In southern Texas, look for overwintering anhingas on large reservoir lakes of the Colorado and Brazos River systems, including:
- Lake Buchanan
- Inks Lake
- Lake Travis
- Lake Austin
- Lady Bird Lake
- Lake Georgetown
- Lake Belton
- Stillhouse Hollow Lake
- Lake Whitney
- Lake Granger
- Lake Somerville
- Lake Limestone
- Lake Bryan
- Brazos River
- Colorado River
Coastal Texas
Anhingas can be found along the entire Texas Gulf Coast, inhabiting coastal lakes, marshes, bayous, and lagoons. Top spots include:
- Sea Rim State Park
- Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge
- Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge
- San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge
- Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
- Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
- South Padre Island
- Coastal bend bays, marshes & barrier islands
Central Texas
In central Texas, anhingas are less common but can be found on large lakes and reservoirs during winter, such as:
- Lake Waco
- Lake Mexia
- Lake Fairfield
- Lake Gilmer
- Possum Kingdom Lake
- Lake Palo Pinto
- Lakes along the Brazos River
West Texas
West Texas marks the westernmost edge of the anhinga’s winter range. They may be occasionally found during winter on reservoirs such as:
- O.H. Ivie Reservoir
- Twin Buttes Reservoir
- E.V. Spence Reservoir
- Elm Creek Reservoir
So in summary, anhingas can be found in suitable habitats across eastern, southern, central, and coastal Texas in winter, with their numbers decreasing towards western Texas.
What types of water bodies and habitats do anhingas frequent in Texas?
Anhingas thrive in a variety of aquatic environments during their stay in Texas. They typically frequent the following types of water bodies and wetland habitats:
Lakes & Reservoirs
Man-made reservoirs with both shallow and deep water areas provide excellent habitat. Anhingas hunt fish in shallow sections and perch to dry their wings on trees and structures along deeper banks and water.
Slow-moving Rivers
Rivers with slower currents and oxbows, backwaters, and sloughs provide good fishing and perching. Sections of rivers like the Brazos, Colorado, Trinity and others suit anhingas.
Marshes & Swamps
Freshwater and brackish coastal wetlands withstanding emergent vegetation give anhingas areas to hunt and perch. Cattails, rushes, and grasses along the shoreline are preferred.
Shallow Ponds
Small ponds, borrow pits, oxbow ponds, stock tanks and other shallow water bodies are used by anhingas, both natural and man-made.
Estuaries & Bays
Coastal bays, tidal marshes, estuaries and lagoons with access to shallow open water provide habitat for many overwintering anhingas along the Texas coast.
Requirements
In summary, anhingas require two main features wherever they winter in Texas:
- Open, shallow water that supports populations of bait fish and allows for plunge diving.
- Trees, poles, piers or other structures in or near the water that provide perches for drying their wings.
What do anhingas eat in Texas?
Anhingas are piscivorous, meaning fish make up the majority of their diet. While in Texas, they prey on a wide variety of freshwater and saltwater fish species. Their diet can include:
Freshwater Fish
- Sunfishes
- Catfishes
- Temperate basses
- Perches
- Darters
- Minnows
- Shad
Saltwater Fish
- Mullets
- Silversides
- Topminnows
- Mojarras
- Anchovies
- Killifish
Anhingas hunt by swimming slowly underwater and stabbing fish with their sharp beak. Almost any small-to-medium sized fish in open shallow water may get consumed.
Adaptations for Hunting
Anhingas have several key adaptations that aid their fish-hunting abilities:
- Long, sharply pointed beak to spear fish
- Long, flexible neck to strike quickly
- Streamlined body profile to swim underwater
- Webbed feet for swimming
- Ability to see well underwater
These adaptations make anhingas stealthy, effective hunters of fish in shallow waters. In Texas, they consume a wide array of fresh and saltwater fish species that are abundant in winter.
What are some interesting behaviors and characteristics of anhingas?
Some of the most interesting behaviors and characteristics of anhingas include:
Wing drying
Anhingas often perch with their wings spread open to dry after swimming. This is because they lack waterproof oils in their feathers like ducks, and can become waterlogged if they don’t dry periodically.
Swimming style
They swim with just their head and long neck above the water, resembling a snake. This stealthy swimming style allows them to slowly stalk fish.
Plunge diving
From perches or while swimming, they will plunge straight down into the water to catch fish below with their beak.
Nest building
Anhingas build nests out of sticks, lined with vegetation, in bushes or low trees very close to water. Males gather nesting material and present it to females.
Male incubation
Male anhingas take on more incubation duty than females. They incubate the eggs with their feet, keeping the eggs warm under their feathers.
Spearing behavior
They often spear fish and toss them into the air to reposition for swallowing. This gives them their other name of “water turkey.”
Climbing ability
Anhingas regularly climb bushes, trees, and other vegetation near water, using their sharp beak as a climbing tool. They build nests in bushes and trees.
Habitats
Found exclusively in freshwater and estuarine wetlands – never far from water.
So in summary, anhingas exhibit some interesting behaviors and adaptations related to swimming, diving, drying, and nesting that allow them to thrive as waterbirds.
When and where do anhingas breed?
Anhingas do not breed in Texas, but migrate north in spring to nest in wetlands across the southern and eastern United States. Here are details on their breeding habits:
Breeding Range
The breeding range extends from Texas north to Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, and Virginia, and along the Atlantic Coast up to Maine and Quebec. There are also some breeding populations in western areas from Texas to California.
Nesting Areas
They nest in freshwater marshes, ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers, mainly in standing bushes or flooded trees. Proximity to open water for hunting is key.
Nest Description
The male gathers sticks and vegetation to construct a nest, presented to the female. Nests are shallow, loose platforms of sticks lined with grass or moss.
Clutch Size
The average clutch size is 3-4 pale bluish-white eggs.
Incubation
Incubation lasts 25-30 days. The male often incubates more than the female. Eggs are incubated with the feet, keeping them warm beneath the parent’s feathers.
Fledging
Anhinga chicks fledge at around 6 weeks old, but continue to be fed by parents even after leaving the nest at 8-10 weeks.
Breeding Season
Breeding typically takes place between March and July, with southern populations nesting earlier in spring than northern ones.
Conclusion
In summary, anhingas are migratory waterbirds that spend the winter months in Texas and other southern states, before returning northward each spring to breed. They inhabit lakes, rivers, marshes, and coastal wetlands, feeding mainly on fish. Anhingas exhibit some fascinating behaviors and adaptations related to swimming, diving, and drying their waterlogged feathers. Though they migrate out of Texas in spring, overwintering anhingas can still be readily observed plying the waters of many lakes, reservoirs, and wetlands throughout the Lone Star State.
Months Present | Migration Status | Regions Found | Key Habitats | Diet |
---|---|---|---|---|
September – April | Migratory – winters in Texas | Eastern, Southern, Coastal, Central | Lakes, rivers, marshes, estuaries | Fish |