Birds & Alligators
Cormorants and Anhingas
All images © John Wise. All Rights ReservedThe Double-crested Cormorant is a black cormorant with an orange throat pouch and long neck. It has a long hooked bill which is tilted upwards when it swims. Adults have a short tuft of feathers over each eye during the breeding season.
Similar to Cormorants, Anhingas (known as Snakebirds) swim underwater to catch fish. Anhingas have long dagger shaped serrated bills which they use to stab fish. They then throw the fish in the air and swallow them whole. Lacking oil glands, both Species have to dry their wings in the sun after being submerged.
Birds-of-prey
All images © John Wise. All Rights ReservedBirds of prey (Raptors) are birds that hunt for food primarily on the wing, using their keen senses, especially vision. They are defined as any bird that hunts other animals. Their talons and beaks tend to be relatively large, powerful and adapted for tearing and/or piercing flesh. In most cases, the females are considerably larger than the males.
Owls, eagles, hawks, kites, vultures, harriers and falcons are all birds of prey.
Many species of Raptor are endangered due to the use of pesticides and other threats to their natural environment.
