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Anhinga novaehollandiae
The Darter is a large, slim water bird with a long snake-like neck, sharp pointed bill, and long, rounded tail. Male birds are dark brownish black with glossy black upperwings, streaked and spotted white, silver-grey and brown. The strongly kinked neck has a white or pale brown stripe from the bill to where the neck kinks and the breast is chestnut brown. Females and immatures are grey-brown above, pale grey to white below, with a white neck stripe that is less distinct in young birds. The Darter is often seen swimming with only the snake-like neck visible above the water, or drying its wings while perched on a tree or stump over water. The last picture is the adult little pied cormorant for comparison.
Suburban freshwater lake.
Thanks Argybee. It was either yoga practice or it had swallowed a golf club. Its wings spread as I got too close. I would still be looking at shag links but for a kind suggestion from a wiser head.