Oriental darter

The darters or snakebirds are mainly tropical waterbirds in the family Anhingidae having a single genus Anhinga. There are four living species, three of which are very common and widespread while the fourth is rarer . The term snakebird is usually used without any additions to signify whichever of the completely allopatric species occurs in any one region. It refers to their long thin neck, which has a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged, or when mated pairs twist it during their bonding displays. "Darter" is used with a geographical term when referring to particular species. It alludes to their manner of procuring food, as they impale fishes with their thin, pointed beak.

Scientific Name : Anhingidae

Family : Anhingidae

Order : Suliformes

Class : Aves

Type : Darters

Conservation Status : Near threatened (NT)

Size : 90 cm

Compare Size : Kite +

Wingspan : 120 cm

Weight : 1.1 kg

Migratory : Resident Migrant

Sex Alike : Yes

Nesting Season : June - August

Other Names :

English : Indian Darter, Snakebird

Hindi : पनवा

Marathi : तिरंदाज

Habitat:
Freshwater and marine habitats, Lakes, Jheels, Mangrove creeks, Rivers

Breeding:
Eggs - 3 or 4, Elongated, pale greenish-blue

Feeding:
Mid-sized fish, Large invertebrates


Identification Features

Male & Female
Neck long and slender
Bill straight, pointed
Upperparts black
Upperwing coverts has silvery streaks along the shaft
Tertials has silvery streaks along the shaft
Crown brown
Throat upper throat white; middle section brown shadding to black at bottom
Nape brown shading to black towards mantel
Underparts blackish-brown
Chin white
Neck a white line running on sides of the neck
Iris white
Lower mandible yellowish
Note :
The sexes are not easily distinguishable but males tend to have black speckles that coalesce on the white throat

SIGHTINGS

Date Location
2019-02-01 01 Feb 2019 Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Rajasthan