Green-eyed Anhinga: My bird books are not the detailed books of serious birders - lots of photos but not tons of detail. So - why do some anhingas have green eyes and others do not?

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

My bird books are not the detailed books of serious birders - lots of photos but not tons of detail.

So - why do some anhingas have green eyes and others do not? White feathers and others do not? Male versus female? Mating plumage? This one is always at the same spot next to the road and is happy to pose any time I walk by (at the Viera Wetlands in Brevard County Florida).

Nikocarol Loc: NM & FL

Great shot!!!

jojo Smith Loc: Northern Michigan

sb wrote:

My bird books are not the detailed books of serious birders - lots of photos but not tons of detail.

So - why do some anhingas have green eyes and others do not? White feathers and others do not? Male versus female? Mating plumage? This one is always at the same spot next to the road and is happy to pose any time I walk by (at the Viera Wetlands in Brevard County Florida).

beautiful great shot

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

According to my Nat Geo Field Guide:
"During breeding season, male acquires pale, wispy plumes on upper neck; bill and bare facial skin becomes brightly colored." Audubon Handbook mentions the same.

Very nice shot!

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Cwilson341 wrote:

According to my Nat Geo Field Guide:
"During breeding season, male acquires pale, wispy plumes on upper neck; bill and bare facial skin becomes brightly colored." Audubon Handbook mentions the same.

Very nice shot!

Thanks, Carol!

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Thanks, NikkoCaroland Jojo!

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Cwilson341 wrote:

According to my Nat Geo Field Guide:
"During breeding season, male acquires pale, wispy plumes on upper neck; bill and bare facial skin becomes brightly colored." Audubon Handbook mentions the same.

Very nice shot!

And he IS a most handsome fellow! What female could resist?

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

sb wrote:

And he IS a most handsome fellow! What female could resist?

:) :thumbup:

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Great composition Steve. Sharp detail. Nice shot.
-Doc

Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

Excellent capture, Steve and each one makes me wish that we were there!

firtree Loc: Florida, USA

sb wrote:

And he IS a most handsome fellow! What female could resist?

Actually this is a super shot of a female. The males are black all over, females have the brown neck and throat.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

firtree wrote:

Actually this is a super shot of a female. The males are black all over, females have the brown neck and throat.

OK - thanks. I am going to have to look this up - or at least order a more detailed field guide!

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

sb wrote:

OK - thanks. I am going to have to look this up - or at least order a more detailed field guide!

Steve, I think I understand better now. What I quoted earlier is what is in both of my hard copy guides. However, they also say the male is darker, mostly black and the female more brown. I googled Anhinga and found a site that mentioned that the female also develops the enhanced eye color during mating season. It did not mention the head feathers but the feathers on this particular bird are not nearly as prominent as some I have seen so I am guessing the female also develops that characteristic but to a lesser extent. The guides are great but they don't cover every detail. Also, the color of a bird may appear different in different light.

This shot is an exceptional capture no matter what!!

angler Loc: StHelens England

Nice shot Sb.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Cwilson341 wrote:

Steve, I think I understand better now. What I qu... (show quote)

Yes - the more I read the more unclear it is to me! I am still not sure. I am paying more attention to the anhingas and some are indeed very dark all over. Only a few seem to have the blue/green skin around the eye. Waiting for a new bird guide that I ordered - probably won't clear things up.