African Darter

Anhinga rufa

Other Pics: African Darter (Female) , African Darter chick , Male African Darter in flight

Other Names

  Snakebird   Anhinga d'Afrique   Afrikanischer Schlangenhalsvogel   Aninga Africana, Aninga Común   Afrikansk ormhalsfågel   Afrikaanse Slangenhalsvogel   Ploto africano

World: Africa - widespread S of 15°N.

Kenya: Found in most areas where there are still or sluggish bodies of water fringed with vegetation.

The alternate name of "Snakebird" comes from the swimming method employed by Darters. They swim very low in the water, often with just their head and neck protruding abobe the surface. They spear their prey (mainly fish but also other aquatic animals eg snakes, frogs, crustaceans etc) underwater as they swim along. They nest communally alonside cormorants, ibises, herons and egrets. The species performs frequent local migrations in response to rainfall patterns across Kenya.