Oriental Darter

Overview

The Oriental darter, Anhinga melanogaster, is a water bird found across tropical South and Southeast Asia. It belongs to the darter family and is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Adult plumage is predominantly black with a pale line over the eye and throat and along the sides of the neck, creating a striped appearance; the crown and neck may be white or amber.
• Characterised by a very long, slender neck and a straight, pointed bill that is dark at the tip and pale brown at the base, with a yellowish lower mandible.
• Wettable feathers necessitate perching with wings spread open to dry, often on rocks or branches; legs and webbing are yellow in non-breeding birds but darker grey in breeders.
• Generally silent in the field, but produces grunts, croaks, and a 'chigi-chigi-chigi' call at the nest.

Habitat

Primarily inhabits freshwater lakes and streams. The species ranges across tropical South and Southeast Asia.

Diet

Feeds on fish, which are captured by darts of the neck to impale the prey underwater while the body remains submerged. The bird brings the fish to the surface, tosses it to adjust the position, and swallows it head first.

Did you know?

The tail consists of twelve stiff feathers that are dragged along the ground when the bird attempts to walk or hop on land. Additionally, some tribal groups in northeastern India have used these birds to capture fish by tying a ring around the neck to prevent swallowing, similar to cormorant fishing in Southeast Asia.