by Marianne R.
Member since:
August 26, 2006

What Type of Bird is This?

May 18, 2009 08:52 AM EDT
views: 98 | rating: 10/10 (13 votes) | comments: 38

This is the best shot I was able to take since it was shot from about a half football field or so away (across a large pond) with a standard lens. I'm thinking it's some kind of Heron, but this is the only time I've seen this kind of waterfowl and I'm clueless.

 

So what is it?
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Comments: 38

Is it an Anhinga?
I've posted a couple of photos in the past, of this bird but I'm not 100% sure of it. It is a bird found in this area, though and looks very similar.
Marianne R. May 18, 2009, 8:58am EDT
Photo was taken in South Carolina. It's the pond behind my parent's home.
Chris E. May 18, 2009, 8:58am EDT
Sorry I am not sure what it is.
I think it is an Anhinga.

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Anhinga/id
Sandy (back in Ohio...blah!) May 18, 2009, 8:59am EDT
I am not sure what it is called. But it is a beautiful shot
I'm not sure, but my first guess was some type of egret.
Marianne R. May 18, 2009, 9:03am EDT
Could be, but it wasn't as black as the photos on that link Julie. It had a very dark green coloring to it's wings.
Anhingas are found from NC to Texas, in the coastal states. They do this strange thing with their wings, stretching them out to dry the feathers for long periods of time. That's what captured my interest. They can't fly with their wings wet, but they look very odd stretching the wings like that.
Some of the other photos show them lighter, and the ones I've seen have varied as well. The shape of the head and neck are very much the same as the ones I've seen.
Susan B. May 18, 2009, 9:08am EDT
very cool :)
Kimber L. May 18, 2009, 9:10am EDT
great capture - I have no idea what kind of bird it is - sorry!
Lisa H. May 18, 2009, 9:12am EDT
It looks like a type of Heron.
It's a bird. It doesn't need further identification.
Aunt Boni H. May 18, 2009, 9:16am EDT
Yup, I'll agree it's an Anhinga. Funny name. Beautiful bird. Great photo!
j - Frugal Mom - r. May 18, 2009, 9:19am EDT
I don't know what it is either, but I believe I have seen one of those down here as well. It definitely looks familiar.
Elaine S. May 18, 2009, 9:24am EDT
I have no idea.I was thinking Heron.
Kat W. May 18, 2009, 9:28am EDT
It looks to be an Anhinga according to my bird book.
☼ Lisa ☼ G. May 18, 2009, 9:40am EDT
I have no idea but its a good picture~
Nana to Seven Cutiepies May 18, 2009, 10:22am EDT
Well M, I used my new book I won from Gather that arrived Saturday (an article to come later) and it is a female Anhinga. The males have the silver white markings on the back and wings, but the females are dark brown overall. The female also has the pale tan neck and head and dark underwings. Your photo looks almost exactly like the one in the book.

PhotobucketThanks so much for posting this to
my group
Roy ☯ Hilbinger May 18, 2009, 10:24am EDT
Yeah, that's a female Anhinga. You can tell from the solid black on the wings and the brown neck. The male would have a black neck and white markings on the wings.
Marianne R. May 18, 2009, 11:12am EDT
Thanks everyone!
Amanda C. May 18, 2009, 11:53am EDT
I have no clue so I am glad someone else was able to identify it for you
Denise E. May 18, 2009, 11:56am EDT
How interesting - I've learned something new, Marianne. Thanks for the opportunity.
phil w. May 18, 2009, 12:25pm EDT
I didn't know anyway !
Janet "Jax" B. May 18, 2009, 12:26pm EDT
Ah, glad you know what it is now Marianne...I thought some sort of heron.
Jo N. May 18, 2009, 2:00pm EDT
I wouldn't have been able to say what kind of bird it was, but very nice photo!
M & M. May 18, 2009, 3:16pm EDT
I don't know. In the crane family maybe?
Phyllis R. May 18, 2009, 4:41pm EDT
Well, I was going to tell you to ask Nana!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOL
Bundy P May 18, 2009, 6:04pm EDT
I love it, no matter what it's called...LOL!
Well that's a relief...that someone and not just one, knew what type of bird this was...anywho...what a great shot with just a regular lens...that is one fine camera you have there.
Rose H. May 18, 2009, 11:01pm EDT
It sure is beautiful - Anhinga - what a name. If I ever see one around here I'll know what it is.
Nice shot from such a distance too, Marianne.
Larry H. May 18, 2009, 11:29pm EDT
I don't know
Pamela O. May 19, 2009, 9:38am EDT
Wow, what a gorgeous picture! Looks like you found out what bird it is! Stunning photo :-)

Thanks for stopping by to see Zelda yesterday! Puppy is snoring away at my feet in my office this morning. She's a sweetie!
Kelly Kay May 19, 2009, 9:42am EDT
Looks like a heron.
Sherrie H. May 19, 2009, 12:36pm EDT
Very interesting! I learned something.
Chelsea R. May 20, 2009, 1:49pm EDT
great capture!
Lance L. May 20, 2009, 6:45pm EDT
yep. That's what it is.

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