Documentation of
Anhinga
2003-054
Observer Information
Reporter:
Glenda Brown
E-mail:
Other Observers:
Randy Siebert; I am the original finder.
Species, Date, Time and Location Information
Species:
Anhinga
First Date/Time:
5/3/2003
Last Date/Time:
Duration (total time in view):
about 5 minutes
County:
Adams
Specific Location:
100 feet north of footbridge by nature center at Barr Lake State Park.
Number:
1
Age:
Unknown
Sex:
Female
Plumage:
Other/Unknown
Habitat
bird was flying over the fields near the lake.
Viewing Conditions
Optics:
Swarovski 8 x 30 SLC binoculars
Distance:
about 0.5 miles, hard to judge because it was in flight.
Light:
full sun to the south of the bird.
Description of the Bird
Bird was primarily dark, with a white band across its' tail, and lighter colored on the neck. The size was typical for a cormorant, but difficult to judge because of the distance. The bird was outstretched, and the neck and tail proportions were about equal. The soaring behavior seemed peculiar for a cormorant, so I looked further and saw the tail markings. Once the bird started flying, the wing beat pattern didn't match a cormorant. While it was soaring, the tail was held together, giving the impression of the head and tail length being equal. Once it startyed flying north, it flared out the tail, and the white line and neck color were visible.
Behaviors: Bird was soaring on a thermal (like a hawk). Once it had gained some elevation, it started moving to the north, and away from the lake.
Call: None
Plumage: None described
Similar Species Discussion
Double-crested Cormorant: this bird didn't fly with a kinked neck like a cormorant, and the soaring behavior was different than I've seen fromm cormorants. The coloration on the neck and tail didn't match a cormorant either. In flight, the head and tail proportions didn't match a cormorant's either.
The jizz was wrong for a cormorant, which is why I pointed the bird out to Randy to look at. He was able to study it in the spotting scope before it flew away.
Resources Used
Sibley field guide indicates differences in flight behavior between cormorants and anhingas. This bird wasn't flying like a cormorant, which is why I looked at it closer.
Thayer's Guide to Birds of North America, Peterson, and the Audubon Master guide all have information about differences in flight behavior between cormorants and anhingas. Cormorant pictures don't show the white tail band or the lighter colored neck of an anhinga.
Previous Experience
Familiar with cormorants, especially the local double-crested cormorant. Have seen many feeding, flying and resting in CO, TX, FL.
Materials Available
No files uploaded.
Date Documentation Submitted
7/6/2010 10:35:00 AM