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The Oriental darter
Anhinga melanogaster
10.8209, 76.2565
Field Notes
Description:
It has a long and slender neck with a straight, pointed bill and, like the cormorant, it hunts for fish while its body submerged in water. It spears a fish underwater, brings it to the surface and tosses it into the air before swallowing it.
Habitat:
South Asia and Southeast Asia
Notes:
The body remains submerged as it swims, and the slender neck alone is visible above the water, which accounts for its other name: snakebird. Like the cormorants, it has wettable feathers and it is often found perched on a rock or branch with its wings held open to dry.
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