Anhinga melanogaster

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Family

Anhingidae

Genus

Anhinga

Species

melanogaster

Common Names

Darter, Snake Bird, Diver

Distinguishing Features

This bird is very distinctive and can be recognised by its long, sharp, yellow bill, its long, S-shaped neck and its outstretched stance. It is fairly large, at 85-90cm and with a wingspan of 1.2 metres. Male birds are almost entirely glossy black coloured. A white stripe extends from below the light brown eye. The front of the neck is red-brown coloured and the open wings reveal white feathers throughout.

Survey Techniques

Call and visual identification.

Species Call

A harsh, repeated  'kah-kah-kah-kah', also some clicking or hissing sounds.

Similar Species

This species is made unique from other waterbirds by its large size and sharp, dagger-like bill.

Distribution

The Darter is a widespread species, frequenting the well-watered areas around mainland Australia. It is also found in New Guinea, Indonesia, India, Middle East, Madagascar and Africa south of the Sahara Desert.

Country of Origin

Australia

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - Regional

This species is uncommon to this region, with highest numbers at the Jerrabomberra Wetlands and along the Molonglo River.

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - National

Secure, not listed under the EPBC Act 1999.

LSCCES Population

11 sightings were made at the NMA and one on the ANU campus.

Associated vegetation community

The Darter will inhabit most well-vegetated wetland areas and estuaries, of either fresh or salt water.

Limiting Resources

The Darter depends heavily on rainfall, as it will only inhabit watered areas of at least half a metre in depth. It also favours areas with a wide variety of trees, different sized logs and thick vegetation surrounding and within the waterbody.

Breeding

Darters only breed when water levels are high. This is usually during spring in this region of Australia. The nest is a rough platform of sticks, 40-50cm in diameter, lined with leaves and placed on a tree branch that overhangs the water. This nest may be used several years in a row. Usually four chalky, green tinged eggs are laid and incubated by both parents for about 28 days. In the first few weeks of life, young birds are fed 6-9 times a day by their regurgitating parents. The young birds are ready for independence about 50 days after hatching.

Behaviour

This species is most often seen perched on a dead tree branch in full sunlight, with its wings spread wide and its head pointed upwards. In this position they will preen their feathers, squeeze out their feathers with their bill or scratch their heads and necks with their webbed feet. It floats with most of its body under the water, with its head and neck looking snake-like above the surface. It hunts under the water with a spearing action of the head and neck and is often underwater for up to a minute at a time. Darter breeding pairs give one another wing-flapping displays and then defend their nests carefully, opening and closing their sharp bill, hissing and hopping about snapping.

Functional Group

Carnivore

Food Species

This bird hunts and spears small fish, insects and other aquatic animals.

Predators

Due to their thorough protective behaviour around the nest, young Darters are less prone to attacks from common predators.

 

Interesting Fact

Unlike most water birds, the Darter's plumage is not waterproof, designed to give the bird an advantage when hunting underwater. This is why they must spend so much of their time drying off in the sun.