AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Notes on the Breeding Behavior of the Anhinga

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1961
Authors:Allen, TT
Journal:The Wilson Bulletin
Volume:73
Issue:2
Date Published:1961
ISBN Number:00435643
Keywords:Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga, Eudocimus, Eudocimus albus, Florida, Guara, Guara alba, Philomachus, Philomachus pugnax, Scolopacidae, Threskiornis, Threskiornis melanocephalus, Threskiornis molucca, Threskiornis moluccus, Threskiornis strictipennis, Threskiornithidae
Abstract:This study was made at Lake Alice in Gainesville, Florida, where Anhingas breed in close association with ibises and various herons. The behavioral sequence of pair formation is generalized from observations of breeding birds during the late winter and spring of 1959. Anhinga sexual dimorphism is shown by the fawn head and neck of the female compared with the glossy black coloring of these parts in the male. The male has a mane which is conspicuously erected during sexual displays. The male either takes over an old nest or builds a new "preliminary" nest, on which he stands to wing-wave, ruffle his feathers, and bow. The wing-waving flashes the silvery patches on the wings and probably serves to attract females. Females wander through the area occupied by displaying males and are occasionally pursued by non-territorial males. If the wing-waving attracts a female, the male begins to change his behavior, employing sweeping movements of the head, rapid wing-waving, and pointing with the bill. The female approaches the nest and begins to answer the gestures of the male with similar ones. Copulation occurs soon after the female steps on the nest. After pairing, the male begins to gather sticks with which he and the female complete the nest. The female probably remains on the nest for several days after pairing, perhaps being fed by the male. Incubation is by both sexes, and there seems to be no particular ceremony involved in nest relief. Variability occurs in the defense behavior of territorial males, but reactions seem to be strongest when a female is near. Paired males are very tolerant of wing-waving males, a condition which allows establishment of compact nesting groups. Anhingas seem to be generally tolerant of the presence of the other species of the colony, although occasional aggressive responses were observed. Herons, ibises, and Anhingas all nest close together, but interaction was observed only between the White Ibis and the Anhinga. No observations were made on vocalizations of Anhingas. Soaring behavior was observed, but no relationship to reproductive activity was seen.
URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/4158910
Short Title:The Wilson Bulletin
Taxonomic name: 
Anhinga (Birds), Philomachus (Birds), Philomachus pugnax (Birds), Scolopacidae (Birds), Threskiornis (Birds), Threskiornis melanocephalus (Birds), Threskiornithidae (Birds)
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith