Out-of-Place ‘Devil Bird’ Wows Spectators in Maine, the First Anhinga Ever Seen in the State

A Surprising Sight in Maine

Maine’s birdwatching community is abuzz with excitement after the first-ever sighting of an anhinga in the state. Known for its long neck and striking appearance, the bird, sometimes referred to as the “devil bird,” has never been recorded this far north.

Discovery and Confirmation

The excitement began on July 23 when Tabatha Holt spotted the unusual bird near a pond in Somerville, about 70 miles north of Portland. After posting a photo in a local Facebook group, Holt identified the bird as an anhinga, a species native to South and Central America, and occasionally found in the southeastern United States, including Florida, the Gulf Coast, and the Carolinas.

Doug Hitchcox, a staff naturalist for the Maine Audubon Society, was among at least 80 people who rushed to see the bird. Hitchcox confirmed the sighting and noted its significance.

Climate Change and Bird Migration

Hitchcox explained that the sighting might be linked to climate change, which is causing many bird species to expand their ranges northward. He noted that while climate change is likely a factor, it’s difficult to draw definitive conclusions from a single sighting. “A lot of these waterbirds have weird expansions and retractions,” he said, emphasizing that this time of year is known as the “rarity season” when unexpected bird sightings are more common.

Anhinga: The “Devil Bird”

The anhinga is a piscivorous bird, meaning it primarily eats fish. It’s closely related to the double-crested cormorant but distinguished by its long neck, which moves like a snake through the water, earning it the nickname “snake bird.” The term “devil bird” comes from the Indigenous Tupi people of Brazil, who also called it the “evil spirit of the woods.” Another nickname, “water turkey,” refers to its broad tail and swimming habits.