Elegant Australasian darter

Thanks to the long and slender neck, the Australasian darter is commonly called snakebird.

 

Often seen swimming with only the snake-like neck visible above the water, or, as seen here - drying its wings while perched on a tree, rocks or wooden stump.

 

Darters swim with their bodies submerged beneath the water’s surface, with only the sinuous neck protruding above. They forage by diving to depths of about 60 cm and impaling fish with the sharp, spear-like beak.

 

35 cm body length.

 

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