Australasian Darter
Anhinga novaehollandiae
Also known as: Australian Darter
About This Species
A slender waterbird of lakes, rivers and estuaries across Australia and New Guinea, often seen perched with wings spread to dry after diving for fish. It swims low in the water with just its long neck and dagger-like bill visible, giving rise to the old name 'snakebird'. Look for it around still or slow-moving freshwater year-round, particularly where fish are abundant.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- View from the bank or a hide rather than approaching drying or roosting birds, since flushing them wastes energy needed for thermoregulation and fishing.
- Native wildlife protection laws in Australia and Papua New Guinea prohibit disturbance of native birds, though specific provisions vary between jurisdictions.
- A slow, quiet approach with binoculars is the safest way to watch this species at length.
LCAvesSuliformesAnhingidae
Seasonal Activity
354,604 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Suliformes
- Family
- Anhingidae
Photo
(c) jpshahady, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.