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Darters.....

Amongst the large gum trees on one of our local creeks the Darters appear to have bred well this season. From one vantage point I counted 4 nests. This being the closest and most visible. Here Mum is having a rest in the light rain whilst the chicks look on....patiently awaiting some activity that may signal a feed.

 

Darter "Anhinga melanogaster."

Also known as.....Diver, Needle-beak Shag or Snake bird.

The Darter is a fishing bird related to cormorants with a stiletto like bill and snake like neck. They swim underwater and often impale small fish etc with a sudden thrust forward of their neck and open bill.

On the surface, Darters swim with their body submerged and only their neck and head visible, hence the name "snake-bird."

 

 

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Uploaded on January 22, 2014
Taken on January 21, 2014