Question: Most fishing birds (piscivor) capture fish by grasping the prey with their bills. What is unique about the way Anhingas capture fish?
Answer: Anhingas, consummate fisherman, usually spear the bigger fish with the upper mandible (top part of the bill) under water, come to the surface, perch, and proceed to subdue the fish by beating it on the perch (photos 1, 2). Then the problem of getting the fish off the bill is accomplished by continued beating and working the fish toward the tip (photo 3).
When the fish is sufficiently loose, the Anhinga flips it up in the air and into the mouth (photos 4, 5) -- in other words down the hatch (photos 6,7). Then, there's a drink of water and cleaning off the bill (photo 8).
If the fish is small, the Anhinga pops up and without leaving the water flicks the morsel up and down it goes.
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