[Length 31.25 in. Wingspan 78 in.]

At first glance, the Laysan Albatross looks like a gull. But a closer examination reveals the exceptionally long wings which are the trademark of all Albatrosses. A more subtle field mark is the lack of white on the leading or trailing edges of the wings. All gulls show one or both of these field marks. The Laysan Albatross also seldom flaps its wings like a gull, but glides effortlessly over the waves. The combination of white head, dark back, and white rump distinguish the Laysan Albatross from other Albatrosses likely to be seen along the west coast of North America (e.g., the Black-footed Albatross is dark all over and the very rare Short-tailed Albatross has a white back). Laysan Albatrosses breed on Pacific Islands, but spend most of their life at sea. This Laysan Albatross was photographed from the ferry which runs from Tokyo to Kushiro (on the northern island of Hokkaido), Japan. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm EDAF f4.0 lens on Kodachrome 200 film. (Date: January 1996)

[Length 35 in. Wingspan 45 in.]

Anhingas are also called "Snakebirds", "Darters", and "Water Turkeys", names which attempt to describe their appearance when they swim with only their long neck and head above the water. They do look like swimming snakes, they do "dart" through the water, and they often fan their long tail feathers underwater, which gives a turkey-like appearance! Anhingas often sit with their wings extended to dry their feathers after they come out of the water. Anhingas occur in freshwater swamps, marshes, lakes, and along rivers from South Carolina through Florida, and along the gulf coast states to southern Texas. They feed on fish, frogs, and aquatic insects, which they spear with their long pointed bill. They will also eat newly hatched alligators! This one was photographed along the "Anhinga Trail" (where else?!) in Everglades National Park, Florida, USA. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm ED f4.5 lens on Ektachrome 400 film. (Date: March 1982)

[Length 35 in. Wingspan 45 in.]

This female Anhinga was photographed along the Anhinga Trail at Everglades National Park, Florida, USA. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm ED f4.5 lens on Kodachrome 200 film. (Date: March 1982)

[Length 35 in. Wingspan 45 in.]

This male Anhinga and chick in a nest were photographed along the Anhinga Trail in Everglades National Park, Florida, USA. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm ED f4.5 lens on Kodachrome 200 film. (Date: March 1982)

[Length 35 in. Wingspan 45 in.]

This Anhinga was photographed at the Audubon Sabal Palms Sanctuary, Brownsville, Texas, USA. Photo taken with a AF-S VR Nikkor 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens + Nikkor TC20E II 2.0x Teleconverter (EFL=900mm) on a Nikon D200 camera. (Date: January 21, 2009)

[Length 13.5 in. Wingspan 17 in.]

This Groove-billed Ani was photographed at Allen William's "Wildscaped" yard, Pharr, Texas, USA. Photo taken with a AF-S VR Nikkor 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens (EFL=450mm) on a Nikon D300 camera. (Date: May 6, 2009)

[Length 13.5 in. Wingspan 17 in.]

This Groove-billed Ani was photographed at El Chiru, El Valle de Anton, Panama. Photo taken with a AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED [II] lens (EFL=300mm) on a Nikon D7000 camera. (Date: August 13, 2011)

[Length 13.5 in. Wingspan 17 in.]

The Groove-billed Ani is a tropical relative of the Cuckoo family which looks remarkably like a Great-tailed Grackle at first glance. Named for the prominent ridges on its stout bill, the Groove-billed Ani occurs in North America primarily in eastern Mexico and coastal western Mexico. It is also common along the Rio Grande and surrounding areas in Texas, and less common up the Gulf coast of Texas. In winter most of the Texas birds withdraw to Mexico, but they can always be found in the lower Rio Grande Valley, with a few lingering along the Gulf coast. This Groove-billed Ani was photographed near Santa Maria in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, USA. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm EDAF f4.0 lens on Kodak Elitechrome 200 film. (Date: April 2001)

[Length 13.5 in. Wingspan 17 in.]

This Groove-billed Ani was photographed at the NABA Butterfly Park, Mission, Texas, USA. Photo taken with a Nikkor 70-200mm EDAF-S VR f2.8 lens + Nikkor TC14E II 1.4x Teleconverter (EFL=420mm) on a Nikon D200 camera. (Date: August 8, 2006)