Anhingas, Darters
Oriental Darter
Anhinga melanogaster
The Oriental darter or Indian darter (Anhinga melanogaster) is a water bird of tropical South Asia and Southeast Asia. It has a long and slender neck with a straight, pointed bill and, like the cormorant, it hunts for fish while its body submerged is in water. It spears a fish underwater, bringing it above the surface, tossing and juggling it before swallowing the fish head first.
- Family
- Anhingas, Darters
- Order
- Suliformes
- Weight
- 1.5 kg
- Habitat
- Wetland
- Diet
- Vertebrates, fish and carrion
- Migration
- Partial migrant
- Countries recorded
- 13
Recorded in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Australia, Nepal, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Brunei.
Where to see it: Muara Angke NR · northern section (Indonesia); Ulu Temburong NP (general area) (Brunei Darussalam); Matara · Kirala Kele Sanctuary (Sri Lanka); Changaram Wetlands · Ezhupunna (India); Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary (Cambodia).
