Oriental Darter

Anhinga Melanogaster

Order:

Suliformes

Family:

Anhingidae

Size:

85 to 100 centimeters (33 to 39 inches)

Weight:

1.5 to 2.3 kilograms (3.3 to 5.1 pounds)

Taxonomy:

Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1789.

Short Description:

Oriental Darter is a large, slender waterbird with a long neck and bill, resembling a cormorant. It has dark plumage with a distinctive white streak down the side of its neck during breeding season. Its wings are broad and pointed, aiding in efficient flight and diving underwater. Juveniles and non-breeding adults may lack the white streak and have more mottled plumage.

Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast

Oriental Darter is primarily found in freshwater wetlands, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs across various regions, including Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. It frequents areas with abundant fish populations, which are its main food source.

Oriental Darters are skilled divers, using their sharp bills to catch fish underwater. They often swim with just their slender necks above the water’s surface, earning them the nickname “snakebird.” After fishing, they can be seen perching on branches or rocks with their wings spread wide, drying their feathers in the sun. They are solitary hunters but may congregate in larger groups during breeding season or at productive feeding sites.