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DarterAlternative names: "Snake-necked Darter", "Diver*", "Snake-bird", "Shag*" Aboriginal names: "koorowera", "marbangye" Size: 85-90 cm; wing span 1.2 m Weight: 1.05-1.35 kg |
SUBSECTIONS:
Classification
Distribution
Sightings
Photos
Breeding
Nest
Eggs
Behaviour
Food
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Taxonomy, classification |
See Darter
at Wikipedia 
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Range, habitat, finding this species |
(for details refer to a field guide) |
Click here to display information on habitat,
range and finding this species
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Sightings |
In the region of Narrabri, NSW, Darters are common and widespread and we have spotted Darters in various locations since 2005.
Click here to display more sighting
information
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Photos |
Race "novaehollandiae"
Frontal view of a male Darter
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, September 2011]
Frontal view of a "decorated" male Darter that has just emerged
from a pond
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, July 2010]
Lateral view of a male Darter checking out the surroundings
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, February 2008]
Dorsal view of a male Darter
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, September 2011]
Male Darter spreading its wings...
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, February 2008]
... for drying
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, February 2008]
Different view of a male Darter drying its plumage
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, August 2010]
This view of a male Darter drying its plumage shows clearly its
completely webbed feet
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, August 2010]
Male Darter swimming after a dive
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, April 2010]
Lateral profile of a "rocket" - male Darter in flight
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, July 2010]
Male Darter in flight, seen from underneath
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, July 2010]
This Darter looks like a young male
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2011]
Lateral view of a female Darter; note the pronounced kink of the neck
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, May 2013]
The same female Darter as shown above, now on the point of take-off
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, May 2013]
Lateral view of a female Darter (photo courtesy of C. Hayne)
Female Darter swimming in Narrabri Creek
[Narrabri, NSW, September 2007]
Female Darter drying its plumage
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2010]
Female Darter in flight, seen from underneath
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, April 2012]
Lateral view of a female Darter in flight; note the pronounced
kink of the neck
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, March 2012]
Immature Darter in flight; note the all cream-coloured neck
distinguishing it from a female bird
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, January 2011]
Immature Darter preparing for touchdown
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, December 2010]
The incomplete plumage on this Darter's wings indicates that it is a
juvenile drying its feathers (photo courtesy of S. Kirkby)
This also looks like a juvenile Darter drying its feathers (photo courtesy
of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Brisbane River, Brisbane, QLD, June 2006]
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Behaviour |
Hunting under water, Darters are one of the bird species that can regularly be seen drying their plumage sitting on a perch in bright sunlight.
Dorsal view of a male Darter drying its plumage
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, April 2013]
Darters spike their prey, rather than grabbing it like herons or egrets. They then thrust the prey upward and maneuvre it into the slender bill by turning it.
Female Darter with its prey
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, December 2010]
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Additional information |
On a separate page we have lined up a series of shots of a Darter turning around and swallowing a fish spiked on its bill.
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Food, Diet |
Darters feed exclusively on fish (see photo above and this page).
