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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 : Anhingas And 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
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 |
Date | Location |
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01 Feb 2019 | Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Rajasthan |