Australian Darter

Australian Darter, female

AUSTRALIAN DARTER Anhinga novaehollandia

 

It was a cool, overcast morning in Kilmore today. We have had very heavy rain over the last few days, almost 90mm. A  number homes have been filled with water and creeks have risen well over the normally low levels. The wind today was very cool, 9 to 10 degrees.

Australian Darter,  male

This did not stop the cormorants and darters sitting on logs and tree branches, trying to catch a little of the drying sunlight.












 

There were  group of Little Black Cormorants sitting high in the branches of trees. Down lower, just above the water level there was a family of Australian Daters, doing the same.


There were males and females in the group. The males have a rust coloured patch on the lower neck, above a dark chest and body. The females are less distinctly marked with white or buff underbody parts.

Both have long thin necks which taper to a small head  and a very fine, pointed bill.

They are often seen, with just their long thin necks protruding above the water. They can look like snakes swimming through the water.