It is the beautiful bird which gets caged.
An old Chinese proverb
Anhinga
Anhinga
The Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga), sometimes called Snakebird, Darter, American Darter, or Water Turkey, is a water bird of the warmer parts of North America and South America. The word “anhinga” comes from the Brazilian Tupi language and means devil bird or snake bird.
Identification Tips:
* Length: 28 inches Wingspan: 47 inches
* Large, dark waterbird with long, loosely-jointed tail
* Very long, thin neck
* Long, pointed bill
* Often perches with wings spread to dry them
* Often swims with just head and neck above surface
* May soar for extended periods, like a hawk
Adult male:
* Black head, neck and body with white plumes and edgings on wing coverts
Adult female:
* Tan head and neck
* Black body with white plumes and edgings on wing coverts
Similar species:
Cormorants have hooked bills, and shorter tails and necks.
The anhinga is a water bird surely enough, but “I could never see any resemblance to a turkey, and I can not understand how this name happened to be applied to it.” The name “darter” or “snake bird,” both of which are descriptive, seem much more appropriate.
It is the beautiful bird which gets caged.
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