Anhinga's bill flexibility

[Fabs Forns]

This is the first time I see this on Anhingas, and not sure it is the same as the ability of birds like the Godwit to flex the upper mandible, I can't come up with the name now, ry something. John will know.
I was shocked when I looked at the image and saw the upper part of the bill bent upwaard.
Anyone?

[Tony Whitehead]

Interesting, Fabs. Did you see it after it had swallowed the fish? Did the bill regain it's normal shape? I suspect it is just elastic flexibility (like a fishing rod:D) rather than an ability to actively flex it.

[Fabs Forns]

It was normal after that, in fact, I only saw it in the picture, never noticed it out of the camera. What you say makes sense. She's spearing the fish here and I guess it got caught upward.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great example of rhynchokinesis, that's the word you were looking for, right?

[Fabs Forns]

Yup, that's the word, too lazy to research it :)
Not sure it that, though, Axel, since this was not spontaneous but forced by the fish?

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Yup, that's the word, too lazy to research it :)
Not sure it that, though, Axel, since this was not spontaneous but forced by the fish?

I'm not sure, it looks like a good way to prevent the fish from getting away.

[John Chardine]

Take a close look at the image. You are actually seeing a spine of the fish rather than the bill. The bird's upper mandible tip is protruding from the fish just next to two fish spines. The lower spine could be the bill but I think it's another fish spine with the lower mandible tip buried in the fish. Makes sense? There's a great trick of light here where the spines and the bird's bill are the same colour.

Really nice image Fabs.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

John, I think you are right, good catch!