What is the Difference Between Cormorant and Anhinga?

The main differences between cormorants and anhingas are:

1. Bill shape: Anhingas have a sharp, pointed bill, while cormorants have a curved, hooked bill that often turns downward.
2. Neck length: Anhingas have a longer neck than cormorants.
3. Tail length: Anhingas have a longer tail than cormorants.
4. Swimming behavior: Anhingas swim slowly with their head poking out of the water, while cormorants are more powerful swimmers and often dive underwater from the surface.
5. Flight capabilities: Anhingas can soar through the sky using a flapping motion, whereas cormorants do not soar as well.
6. Body shape: Anhingas have a more compact body than cormorants.
7. Markings: Anhingas have white markings on their backs, while cormorants do not.
8. Eye color: Anhingas have blue or blue-green eyes, while cormorants have crystal blue eyes.
9. Nesting colonies: Anhingas nest in small colonies, often with herons or egrets, while cormorants nest in large colonies.

Both birds have long, snake-like necks, like to perch along the shores of bodies of water, and primarily feed on fish by hunting underwater.

Comparative Table: Cormorant vs Anhinga

Here is a table comparing the differences between cormorants and anhingas:

Anhingas and cormorants are both large, black, water-dwelling birds that feed on fish and hunt beneath the water's surface. However, they have distinct differences in their bills, crests, tails, necks, diets, habitats, and flight capabilities.