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Anhinga melanogaster
The Darter is a large slender water bird with a long snake-like neck and sharp pointed bill. Male Darters are dark brownish black with chestnut brown under parts. The wings are glossy black on top, streaked and spotted white and silver. There is a white stripe from the bill to extending across each side of the face and down upper part of the neck. Females and immatures are grey-brown above and pale grey or white below. Immatures have less prominent neck stripe. The Darter often swims with only the snake-like neck showing above the water. It is similar in appearance to the cormorants but has much longer neck and more pointed bill.
Wetlands and sheltered coastal waters, mainly in the Tropics and Subtropics. Prefers waters with perching places such as tree trunks or stumps where it rests and dries its wings. Common on inland waters as well as calm coastal waters.
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