First record of anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) and neotropic cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)

Abstract

We report the first nest records for Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) and Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) at the Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge in Johnston County in south-central Oklahoma. During the 2015 nesting season, we observed a large rookery form at the Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge. At least one Anhinga nest and >20 Neotropic Cormorant nests were observed, in addition to other wading bird species in the rookery. We were unable to determine specific nest success parameters due to flooding and logistical constraints, but juveniles were observed at the end of the nesting cycle, indicating local fledging success was likely. Our observations of Anhinga and Neotropic Cormorant nests are the first for south-central Oklahoma.