Australian Darter

Habitat:

Living with us is not so easy.. Although the deep, open water bodies that Darters favour suffer less from drainage than other wetland types, Darters are still threatened by increased salinity, clearing, grazing, increased fire frequency and extraction of groundwater. Because Darters often feed on introduced fish species such as Carp and Redfin Perch, they may be adversely affected by attempts to reduce numbers of these fish species. Darters are also often casualties of duck-shooting, with birds being shot or disturbed from their nests and losing their eggs to ravens. Adults may also drown if trapped in fishing nets.

Notes:

Darters spread their wings and tail underwater to lure fish into the shade underneath, before spearing them with their sharp bill.