General Description
Body black (male) or pale brown with a white stripe along the side of the neck (female). Neck very long. Bill yellow with a pointed tip. Body up to 90 cm long.
Biology
Darters hunt prey by spearing fish with their pointed bill. They hold their wings out to dry when perched.
Habitat
Rivers and wetlands.
Coastal shores
Distribution guide
Scattered populations around Australia.
Species Group
Max Size
90 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Commercial Species
Yes
Global Dispersal
Native to Australia
Conservation Status
- DSE Advisory List : Not listed
- EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
- IUCN Red List : Near Threatened
Author
Wayne Longmore is a Senior Collection manager of terrestrial vertebrates at Museum Victoria.
Author
Rory O'Brien is a Collection Manager of terrestrial vertebrates at Museum Victoria.
Cite this page as:
Longmore, N. W. & O'Brien, R., 2011, Darter, Anhinga melanogaster, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 25 Feb 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/7930
