Middle GA birdwatcher Posted December 5, 2020 Share Posted December 5, 2020 Since the first of Dec., 2020, we've notice a different type of bird around the pond in my parents' backyard in Georgia. We live in the middle of Georgia, about 80 miles south of Atlanta. It perches on the water drain and spreads its wings after swimming. There were two birds at first, but over the last few days, we've only seen the one. It is fairly large, similar in size to a great blue heron and smaller than a Canadian goose. It appears to have black webbed feet like a Canadian goose, with a yellow beak, tan neck and chest, with dark feathers on its back. Our best guess has been a juvenile or female anhinga. Can anyone identify this bird for us? Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidan B Posted December 5, 2020 Share Posted December 5, 2020 Double-crested Cormorant. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Middle GA birdwatcher Posted December 5, 2020 Author Share Posted December 5, 2020 Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inastrangeland Posted December 5, 2020 Share Posted December 5, 2020 Great guess with Anhinga by the way. Very similar characteristics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted December 5, 2020 Share Posted December 5, 2020 Welcome to Whatbird! You can compare Anhingas and Double-crested Cormorants. Basically, the anhingas have longer, pointier bills. The Double-crested are darker overall (and a lot darker than female Anhingas), with more orange on their faces. But as @Inastrangeland, they're similar in appearance and habit, and are in the same family. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Anhinga https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Double-crested_Cormorant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HamRHead Posted December 5, 2020 Share Posted December 5, 2020 Do an image search for Double-crested Cormorant swallowing fish. It's amazing! And by the way, if the pond is stocked, they might put a dent in the fish population. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Middle GA birdwatcher Posted December 5, 2020 Author Share Posted December 5, 2020 Thank you all for your responses. This is a great website! The pond is stocked and is lower than usual right now for some maintenance, so I think it has been easy pickings for this guy/gal and the herons that seem to follow him/her. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKLland Posted December 5, 2020 Share Posted December 5, 2020 14 hours ago, Middle GA birdwatcher said: Thank you! Welcome and agreed with Double crested Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candydez12 Posted December 5, 2020 Share Posted December 5, 2020 22 hours ago, Middle GA birdwatcher said: Since the first of Dec., 2020, we've notice a different type of bird around the pond in my parents' backyard in Georgia. We live in the middle of Georgia, about 80 miles south of Atlanta. It perches on the water drain and spreads its wings after swimming. There were two birds at first, but over the last few days, we've only seen the one. It is fairly large, similar in size to a great blue heron and smaller than a Canadian goose. It appears to have black webbed feet like a Canadian goose, with a yellow beak, tan neck and chest, with dark feathers on its back. Our best guess has been a juvenile or female anhinga. Can anyone identify this bird for us? Thank you! Double crested Cormorant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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