Alice Springs Waste Stabilisation Ponds
The Australasian Darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae), also known as the Australian Darter, is found across much of Australia (with some exceptions such as the Nullarbor Plains, Great Sandy and Great Victoria Deserts).
A large, slim bird, measuring between 86-94 cm in length, with a long snake-like neck and sharple pointed bill. They also have a long, rounded tail. Male birds have dark brownish to black plumage with glossy black upperwings, white streak down the side of its head and nek, while the female has white underparts. The breast is chestnut brown. The female and immature birds are grey-brown above, with pale grey to white below, and a white neck stripe (which is less distinct in young birds).
The Australasian Darter swim low in the water, often seen with only the snake-like neck visible above the water. They can often be seen drying their wings while perched on a tree or stump or whatever perch is available. Whilst they appear to have a clumsy gait on land, their cross-shaped silhouette can be seen soaring gracefully on the thermals, gliding from updraft to updraft.
Their habitat is freshwater or brackish wetlands and can be found in inland saltwater environments. The Australasian Darter feed mainly on fish, but will also eat amphibians, water snakes, terrapins and other aquatic invertebrates. They will catch their prey by spearing them under water.
The photographs presented here were taken in the month of October.
Check out our Birds | Cormorants | Australasian Darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae)
- Scientific classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Subphylum: Vertebrata
- Informal: Gnathostomata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Pelecaniformes
- Suborder: Sulae
- Family: Anhingidae
- Genus: Anhinga
- Species: Anhinga novaehollandiae
Footnote & References
- Anhinga novaehollandiae (Gould, 1847), Australasian Darter, Atlas of Living Australia, https://bie.ala.org.au/species/Anhinga novaehollandiae
- Australasian Darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae), BirdsSA, https://birdssa.asn.au/birddirectory/australasian-darter/
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