any bird of the family Anhingidae (order Pelecaniformes), sometimes regarded as a single species, Anhinga anhinga, with geographical variants. A large (about 90 cm 【35 inches】 long), slender, long-necked water bird, it is mostly black, with silvery wing markings. Males, glossed with green, develop pale head plumes and a dark “mane” in breeding season; females are plainer, with brownish foreparts year-round. The snakebird is found in tropical to warm temperate regions except in Europe and lives in small colonies along lakes and rivers. It swims nearly submerged, with its head and neck showing above water and darting snakelike from side to side. The bird spears fish, which it carries ashore in its serrated bill.