Anhinga Vs Cormorant – Difference, Similarities, and Best Features

Many people mistake these two water birds because they both look alike, feed on fish and hunt below the water’s surface. But that’s not true. Anhingas love freshwater, whereas Cormorants prefer saline water.

Consider the overview given below to observe how the Anhinga and the Cormorant are different from one another.

Overview

Anhinga	Cormorant
Anhingas make a loud clicking sound that is exactly like a raptor.	They produce deep, guttural sounds.
Longer tail than a Cormorant	Smaller tail than Anhinga
Anhingas has a straight and long bill	Cormorants have a curved, hooked bill
Less compact than Cormorant	More compact than Anhinga
White markings on their backs	No marking on backs
Striking blue-green to reddish colored eyes	Crystal blue eyes
Hunt slower than Cormorant	Hunts faster than Anhinga
Longer neck compared to Cormorant	Shorter neck compared to Anhinga
Mostly inhabit freshwaters	Inhabit mostly coastal waters
The average lifespan is 12 years (wild)	The average lifespan is 25 years (wild)
Short-distance migrant	Medium-distance migrant
Have 2-5 eggs in on the clutch	Have 3-4 eggs in on the clutch

Differences between Anhinga vs Cormorant

Habitat

The Anhinga dwells in shallow, slow-moving, protected waters and takes advantage of neighboring perches and rocks for drying itself. Except during extreme droughts, it is rarely seen without access to fresh water. In general, it is seldom found in large bodies of open water, yet it may nest on the shores of bays and lakes that are easily accessible. They live in colonies with other waterbirds, such as egrets, gulls, ibises, swans, and cormorants. Anhingas may also reproduce in saltwater colonies, but they prefer freshwater. Anhingas are primarily tropical and subtropical climates.

On the other hand, Cormorants like to reside along coastlines, in bays, on ponds, and in rivers. They are highly versatile and may be found in practically any water body, from rocky northern beaches to mangrove swamps, from big reservoirs to small interior ponds. They are widespread in the United States. They build their nests in trees near or above water, on coastal cliffs, or on the ground on islands, among other places. Cormorants may be found worldwide; however, they are more commonly seen outside of North America.

Appearance

Anhingas are large, black waterfowls with a long tail, a snake-like neck, and a tiny head in the wild. They have red to blue eyes and a long, olive-brown beak, which they use to catch fish. The upper back and forewings are speckled and frayed with silver-gray feathers, which look mottled and grizzled on the upper back and forewings. They frequently swoop through the air like a hawk.

On the other hand, Cormorants are tiny, long-tailed birds with black top and bottom portions and a shiny blue appearance. A yellow-gray bill with a long hooked yellow-gray tip and a yellowish “V” shaped gular pouch bordered in white distinguishes them. The color of their legs and feet is black. Their wings beat rapidly when they fly low over the water at high speed.

Size

Anhingas are 87 cm in length on average, weigh 3.2 lb, have a wingspan of 118 cm, and have a bill that is 80-82 millimeters in length. The bird’s head is minuscule and looks to be nothing more than an extension of its long, snake-like neck and body.

Cormorants are somewhat large-sized seabirds that live in the ocean. Their size varies from pygmy Cormorant, which can be as small as 46 cm and 0.7 lb, to the flightless Cormorant, which can be as large as 110 cm and 11.5 lb at its maximum.

Diet

Several small fishes and other aquatic preys make up most of the Anhinga’s diet, with only trace amounts of crabs and invertebrates. While swimming beneath the water’s surface, it stalks fish around aquatic plants—Anhingas spearfish by thrusting their slightly expanded bill through the fish’s flanks.

Cormorants, on the other hand, are primarily fish eaters. In the United States, adults consume on average one pound of fish per day, with the majority of that amount coming from tiny fish.  In addition to feeding on a variety of fish species, they are lazy feeders, focusing on the easiest fish to capture.

Behavior

Anhingas are nocturnal and solitary in their habits; however, they may congregate with gulls, herons, egrets, and storks. Except in breeding colonies, they do not socialize with other anhingas. These birds are very protective of their nests, extending their wings and cracking their beaks to ward off intruders and pecking each other on the chest and neck if required. They spend much of their time fishing or perched on trees when not on the water. They frequently swim out of the water to sunbathe themselves. Anhingas, like turkey vultures, flap their wings to sun themselves, drying up their feathers. They lose heat fast in water because they lack a coating of body feathers to insulate them; therefore, the sun’s heat keeps them warm.

However, cormorants are pretty social. Small and big groups can be encountered at both nesting sites and during the winter. They eat in big flocks and reproduce in colonies. They move in packs. During the day, cormorants search for fish. Cormorants seek an elevated platform with their wings extended after hunting/diving.  This is probably to dry the feathers. However, caged cormorants that do not dive for food also dry their feathers after feeding.

Cormorants communicate by calls and tactile displays. Male cormorants perform the “wing wave show” to attract a mate.

Similarities between Anhinga vs Cormorant

The Anhinga and the Cormorant are both intriguing water birds. They both have lengthy, snake-like necks and may be seen perched along the shore, in rivers, lakes, and ponds, among other places. Fish are the primary prey for both species. They both hunt below the surface of the water to obtain their food. 

On the other hand, Cormorants and Anhingas do not have oil glands, which is why their feathers do not repel water. This is advantageous to both species since it allows them to move more freely underwater while hunting.

Interesting facts about Anhingas

Unlike other water birds, the Anhinga doesn’t have any oil glands to keep its feathers waterproof, as do most other water birds. When it swims, it becomes soaked, which permits it to move more effectively beneath the surface of the water. In order to fly, it must first extend its wings and allow them to dry in the sun.

Here are some more Anhingas facts:

• A lengthy tail gives Anhinga the nickname “water turkey.”
• With its large beak, it spears fish into the air, but this bird has to swim to shore and dislodge the fish from its beak with the help of a rock or tree branch.
• Sometimes their weight may go up to 1.1 kg

Here you can check all Anhinga sounds

Interesting facts about Cormorants

This fish-eating bird may be found in coastal locations and feeds on small fish and other aquatic organisms. Inland waterways are their preferred habitat, as they do not dwell in the open sea. They also construct their nest above rugged rocks. 

Other interesting facts:

• They have been seen to remain underwater for extended periods of time, sometimes exceeding one minute.
• These birds have somewhat shorter wings than other birds, which allows them to travel more easily underwater.
• There are at least 42-45 different species of cormorants.

Here you can check all Cormorant sounds

Field Identification Tips

Anhinga

Anhingas are large, black waterfowls with a long tail, a snake-like neck and a tiny head. They have red to blue eyes and a long, olive-brown beak, which they use to catch fish.

Cormorant

Cormorants are tiny, long-tailed birds with black top and bottom portions and a shiny blue appearance.

Final Verdict

Cormorants and Anhingas, both have long necks, may be found perched on the banks of rivers, lakes, and ponds. On the other hand, both birds do not have oil glands, which is why their feathers do not repel water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do Anhingas and Cormorants lack oil glands despite being water birds?

Both species lack oil glands, making their feathers non-waterproof. This adaptation actually helps them dive and maneuver underwater more effectively while hunting fish, as waterlogged feathers reduce buoyancy and improve underwater agility compared to other waterfowl.

What is the main habitat difference between Anhingas and Cormorants?

Anhingas predominantly inhabit freshwater environments like shallow, slow-moving protected waters and rarely thrive without freshwater access. Cormorants are highly adaptable, thriving in coastal waters, bays, ponds, rivers, and various water bodies worldwide, preferring saline and diverse aquatic habitats.

How can you identify an Anhinga versus a Cormorant by their bill shape?

Anhingas have straight, long olive-brown bills designed for spearing fish through their flanks. Cormorants possess curved, hooked yellow-gray bills with a distinctive hooked tip, suited for gripping slippery prey during underwater pursuits at faster speeds.

Why do both Anhingas and Cormorants dry their feathers after hunting?

Without protective oil glands, their feathers become saturated while diving and hunting underwater. Sun-drying restores buoyancy and insulation. For Anhingas particularly, this heat absorption is essential as they lack body feather insulation and lose heat rapidly in water.

What are the key behavioral differences between Anhingas and Cormorants?

Anhingas are nocturnal and solitary, hunting independently except during breeding. Cormorants are highly social, hunting in flocks, nesting colonially, and using wing-waving displays for mate attraction. Cormorants communicate extensively through calls and tactile displays.

How do Anhingas and Cormorants differ in hunting speed and technique?

Anhingas hunt slower, using their straight bills to spear fish through the body. Cormorants hunt faster with shorter wings optimized for underwater maneuvering, often gripping prey with hooked bills. Cormorants can remain submerged exceeding one minute while foraging.

What is the lifespan difference between wild Anhingas and Cormorants?

Wild Anhingas average 12 years lifespan, while Cormorants live significantly longer, averaging 25 years. This substantial difference reflects distinct ecological pressures, migration patterns, and metabolic adaptations between freshwater and coastal-dwelling populations.

How do the physical sizes of Anhingas and Cormorants compare?

Anhingas average 87 cm length with 3.2 lb weight and 118 cm wingspan. Cormorants vary dramatically by species: pygmy Cormorants measure 46 cm at 0.7 lb, while flightless Cormorants reach 110 cm at 11.5 lb, showing greater size diversity than Anhingas.

Why is the Anhinga nicknamed the ‘water turkey’?

Anhingas earned this nickname from their long, fanned tail resembling a turkey’s display feathers. Their tail is notably longer than Cormorants’, and combined with their distinctive silhouette when swimming or perched, creates a striking resemblance to terrestrial turkeys.

What distinguishes Anhinga and Cormorant eye coloration and appearance?

Anhingas display striking blue-green to reddish colored eyes reflecting tropical adaptations, while Cormorants possess crystal blue eyes. Anhingas show distinctive white-speckled silver-gray feathers on upper backs and forewings, whereas Cormorants exhibit uniform shiny black plumage with glossy blue-black appearance.