Anhinga – A Splendid Bird in Costa Rica (April 2026) 美洲蛇鹈-哥斯达黎加的美丽鸟 (2026 年 4 月）

The Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) is a large waterbird found in warm American wetlands. Lacking waterproof oils, its plumage absorbs water to reduce buoyancy—allowing efficient underwater hunting—but forces it to sun-dry with outstretched wings before flight. It spears fish with its dagger-like bill rather than grasping them, then surfaces to toss and swallow its catch. Known as the “snakebird” for its submerged swimming style, it glides through water with only its long, slender neck exposed. Its fan-shaped tail also inspired the nickname “water turkey,” though it is neither turkey nor related to snakes—just a uniquely adapted wetland predator.

美洲蛇鹈（Anhinga anhinga）是一种大型水鸟，栖息于美洲温暖湿地。它的羽毛缺乏防水油脂，吸水后减少浮力，便于潜入水中捕鱼，但出水后必须展翅晒干才能飞行。它用匕首般的尖喙刺穿鱼类，而非叼咬。因游泳时仅长颈露出水面，得名“蛇鸟”；扇形尾巴又让它被称为“水火鸡”，虽名不符实，却是独具特色的湿地捕食者。

With its long, serpentine neck and sharp, dagger-like bill, the anhinga spears fish with lightning-fast thrusts beneath the water’s surface. After impaling its prey, the bird must skillfully reposition the fish for swallowing. It does so with a remarkable mid-air flip, tossing the fish into the air and catching it headfirst before gulping it down.

蛇鹈凭借细长如蛇的颈部和锋利如匕首的喙，在水下以闪电般的速度刺中鱼类。猎物被叉住后，并不能立即吞食，蛇鹈必须先将鱼调整到头部朝前的位置。它通过一次精彩的空中抛接，将鱼抛起，再精准接住，最后将猎物整条吞下。