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anhinga (an-HING-guh) - n., a fish-eating tropical American water bird (Anhinga anhinga) with a long, flexible neck and a sharp, pointed bill.
Related to cormorants, but with a longer neck and a pointed instead of hooked bill. Also called snakebird, American darter (there are close Old World cousins), and water turkey. The name comes from the Brazilian Tupi name rendered variously as ajíŋa, áyinga, or ayingá, meaning snake-bird, referring to its habit while swimming of only its neck appearing above water, making it look like a swimming snake.
Thanks, WikiMedia!
---L.
Related to cormorants, but with a longer neck and a pointed instead of hooked bill. Also called snakebird, American darter (there are close Old World cousins), and water turkey. The name comes from the Brazilian Tupi name rendered variously as ajíŋa, áyinga, or ayingá, meaning snake-bird, referring to its habit while swimming of only its neck appearing above water, making it look like a swimming snake.
Thanks, WikiMedia!
---L.
