Family

Anhingidae

Description

Stiletto-like bill, snake-like kinked neck, pattern in dark plumage and large black tail. Male: variable but usually very dark with white streak down side of chestnut-marked neck. In breeding plumage, long plumes, buff with black borders, adorn back. Female and Immature: head and hindneck pale-grey, foreneck white with black whisker, breast white. Both Sexes: bill and facial skin yellowish, feet pink or grey.

Habits

Diurnal, Less gregarious than cormorants, singly or pairs: occasionally open companies.

Habitat

Coastal Wetlands, Steams; lakes and swamps preferring deep pools; sheltered coastal estuaries; mangroves; inland waters and fringing forests; floodplains.

Notes

Photo Yellow Waters, Kakadu N.P., non breeding plumage.

Breeding

January to April, 3 to 5 greenish with white covering of lime. Both sexes incubate the eggs for about 26-30 days and young fly after about 50 days.; , nest of twigs in trees in or near water

Parks

Kakadu National Park

Diet

Carnivore, Fish; insects; small aquatic animals.

Details

Common Name: Australasian Darter Scientific Name: Anhinga novaehollandiae (melanogaster)
Sub Order: Unavailable Order: Pelecaniformes
Class: Aves Category: Native
Status: Least Concern Size: 850-900 mm.

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