By Peter Roos
Anhingas in Our Ficus Tree
An Unexpected Evening Ritual in the Heart of Nature
One of the rewards we’ve found of living in a barrier island home is the potential for interaction with wild creatures, particularly birds of so many types, it’s amazing. There is a great blue heron who moves around the inlet as the tide changes, while an osprey supervises from a tall Australian pine. Our suet feeder attracts cardinals and red headed woodpeckers, blue jays, wrens, blackbirds and crows. We get to watch pelicans, skimmers and cormorants catch their food.
Almost every evening, as dusk settles over our backyard, a small group of anhingas finds their way to the tall ficus tree that stands sentinel near our seawall. These remarkable water birds, with their long necks and sleek black feathers, add a unique charm to our evening routine. Watching them choose their favorite branches and begin their nightly ritual of rest has become a cherished part of our lives.
Anhingas are sometimes called “snake birds” because of their slender necks, which often appear to slither above the water as they swim. Their preference for drying their wings in the sun is well-documented, but it is their sleeping habits that have truly captivated us. As night falls, the birds perch high in the ficus tree, safely above any potential predators. They tuck their bills into their back feathers and rest quietly, occasionally shifting to find a more comfortable spot.
Still recovering from Milton and Helene, the ficus tree provides ample long, sturdy branches, making it an ideal roosting site.
The elevated vantage point allows them to remain vigilant. Sometimes, their silhouettes are visible against the moonlight, their long tails and bodies giving them an almost prehistoric appearance. They are very similar to cormorants in several ways, including having to dry their wings after diving. The major difference is their straight bill, used for spearing fish.
The presence of anhingas in our backyard has brought us closer to the rhythms of the natural world. Their serene slumber reminds us that wildlife flourishes even in suburban settings. We often find ourselves listening to the quiet rustle of their wings or soft calls as they settle in, grateful for the simple, magical moments that nature provides just outside our window.