The Oriental Darter or Indian Darter (Anhinga melanogaster ) is a water bird of tropical South Asia and Southeast Asia. It has a long and slender neck with a straight, pointed bill and like a cormorant, it hunts for fish while it hunts with its body submerged in water. It spears fish underwater, brings it to the surface and tosses it into the air before swallowing. The body remains submerged as it swims and the slender neck alone is visible above the water leading to its other name of 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.
Read more about Oriental Darter: Description, Taxonomy, Behaviour and Ecology
Famous quotes containing the word oriental:
“Behold the difference between the Oriental and the Occidental. The former has nothing to do in this world; the latter is full of activity. The one looks in the sun until his eyes are put out; the other follows him prone in his westward course.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)