Anhingas are water birds found in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide. Here are some key facts about where anhingas live:
North America
In North America, anhingas are found in the southeastern United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean islands. The American anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) has the largest range, being found from the Carolinas south to Florida and west along the Gulf Coast to Texas. It is also found in Central America south through much of South America.
Southeastern United States
In the southeastern United States, the American anhinga is commonly found in freshwater lakes, rivers, swamps, marshes, and bayous. Some key areas where they reside include:
- Florida Everglades
- Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia
- Cypress swamps in Louisiana
Central America and Caribbean
Anhingas can be found along coastal areas and inland wetlands in Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and other parts of Central America. In the Caribbean, they are found in Cuba, the Bahamas, and other islands with suitable habitat.
South America
The anhinga has an extensive range in South America east of the Andes mountains. This includes the Orinoco and Amazon basins as well as wetlands along the Atlantic coast. Countries where it can be found include:
- Colombia
- Venezuela
- Guyana
- Suriname
- French Guiana
- Brazil
- Bolivia
- Paraguay
- Argentina
Amazon Basin
The Amazon rainforest contains extensive wetland habitat ideal for anhingas. They are found along slow-moving rivers, streams, lakes, and oxbow lakes throughout the Amazon Basin.
Pantanal
The Pantanal, a huge tropical wetland in central South America, provides prime habitat for anhingas. They are abundant in this region during the rainy season when waters expand over the floodplains.
Africa
Two species of anhinga are found in Africa. The African darter (Anhinga rufa) has a wide range in sub-Saharan Africa in areas near lakes, rivers, and wetlands. The second species, the oriental darter (Anhinga melanogaster), is found in the Afrotropic ecozone in countries including South Africa, Angola, and Zambia.
East Africa
In East Africa, anhingas can be found in areas such as:
- Lake Victoria
- Lake Malawi
- Lake Tanganyika
Southern Africa
Wetlands in southern African countries like Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa provide habitat for anhingas.
West and Central Africa
Anhingas are found along major river systems and wetlands in countries across west and central Africa including Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Chad.
Eurasia
Three species of the anhinga genus are found in Eurasia. These include:
- The oriental darter
- The Indian darter (Anhinga melanogaster)
- The Australasian darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae)
South Asia
In South Asia, anhingas occupy wetlands and waterways primarily in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand.
Southeast Asia
Anhingas live across the Indonesian archipelago including Java, Bali, Sulawesi, and other islands that provide suitable habitat. They are also found in Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
Australia
The Australasian darter inhabits lakes, reservoirs, and slow-moving rivers across much of Australia. It is common in areas like Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory which provides extensive wetlands.
Breeding Range
Anhingas have a very widespread breeding range across the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australia. They build nests and breed near the freshwater and coastal wetland habitats where they feed.
North America
In North America, anhingas breed from North Carolina south throughout Florida and along the Gulf Coast. Nesting typically occurs between March and June.
South America
Anhingas breed across much of South America. The nesting season varies by locality. In Argentina and Chile, they breed September through March. In equatorial areas, they may breed year-round if conditions allow.
Africa
Breeding occurs across sub-Saharan Africa in tandem with rainy seasons. This allows for sufficient water levels and food resources for chick rearing. Nesting typically takes place between November and March in southern Africa for example.
Asia and Australia
Anhingas breed across southern Asia in India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia during wetter monsoon periods. In Australia, breeding happens from August to January before wetlands contract in the dry season.
Migration
Some anhinga populations migrate seasonally based on rainfall patterns and related fluctuations in water levels and food availability. But other populations are year-round residents in suitable habitat.
- In North America, northern populations migrate from areas like the Carolinas, Georgia, and northern Gulf Coast south to warmer areas like Florida and Mexico for the winter.
- Asia has some migratory populations, such as in India where they may migrate based on monsoons.
- In Australia, some range expansion occurs during the wet season as birds disperse to breed.
- In Africa and South America, anhingas tend to be mostly resident rather than migratory.
Key Habitats
Anhingas occupy a variety of wetland and aquatic habitats in tropical and subtropical areas. These include:
- Swamps
- Marshes
- Flooded forests and woodlands
- Mangrove forests
- Rivers
- Lakes
- Reservoirs
- Lagoons
- Estuaries
They require areas of open water for feeding combined with shallows, emerging vegetation, or other perches for drying their feathers after swimming and diving.
Freshwater Habitats
Anhingas frequent a variety of freshwater systems including slow-moving rivers, swamps, marshes, lakes, and reservoirs. Vegetation like willows, cypress, mangroves, and flooded timber provide perching sites.
Coastal Habitats
Coastal wetlands like lagoons, estuaries, and mangrove forests are also important habitats. These brackish and saltwater areas allow them to expand their range and food sources.
Conservation Status
Most anhinga species have a conservation status of Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List. Their extensive range across multiple continents and large global population provide resiliency. However, wetland habitat loss and degradation are concerns for the long-term outlook of some populations.
Population Trends
In North America, anhinga numbers increased over the 20th century as habitat recovered from drainage and development. But populations face threats from continued wetland loss and disturbance.
Habitat Loss
The greatest threat to anhingas is destruction and alteration of wetland ecosystems. Draining or filling of swamps reduces habitat. Dams and stream channelization also negatively impact populations through habitat changes.
Conclusion
In summary, anhingas are widely distributed aquatic birds found in wetland habitats across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Their range spans the Americas, Africa, Eurasia, and Australia. While not considered globally threatened, habitat loss and degradation pose localized risks. Maintaining healthy wetlands across their range will be key to the long-term conservation of anhinga populations.