The Oriental darter is a water bird of tropical South Asia and Southeast Asia. It has a long and slender neck with a straight, pointed bill and, like the cormorant, it hunts for fish while its body is submerged in water. It spears a fish underwater, bringing it above the surface, tossing and juggling it before swallowing the fish head first. The body remains submerged as it swims, and the slender neck alone is visible above the water, which accounts for the colloquial name of snakebird. Like the cormorants, it has wettable feathers and it is often found perched on a rock or branch with its wings held open to dry.
Region
South and Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Found across the Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka, and much of Southeast Asia from Myanmar and Thailand to Indonesia. It inhabits freshwater lakes, slow-moving rivers, oxbow lakes, marshes, reservoirs, and flooded forests. It also occurs in brackish backwaters and mangroves where prey is abundant and perches are available. The species prefers calm, open water with nearby trees or snags for roosting and drying. It often shares roosts and nesting trees with cormorants and herons.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Often called a snakebird because only its long neck shows above water while swimming. Its feathers are wettable, which reduces buoyancy and helps it dive, so it frequently perches with wings spread to dry. It spears fish with a sharp, straight bill and flips them head-first to swallow. It commonly nests in colonies with cormorants and herons.
Fish are first speared and the snake-like neck emerges above the water to toss and swallow the fish head-first
Prey that has been speared is first brought above the surface.
The feathers of the scapulars and tail have wavy or corrugated webbing.
A darter taking off from water.
Temperament
wary and often solitary when feeding; gregarious at roosts
Flight Pattern
strong flier with steady wingbeats; glides low over water and occasionally soars
Social Behavior
Typically forages alone or in small numbers but roosts and breeds colonially, often with cormorants and herons. Nests are platform structures built in trees over water; both parents incubate and feed the young. Pairs are seasonally monogamous and defend the immediate nest area within colonies.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Generally quiet away from colonies. At nests and roosts it gives low grunts, croaks, and clicking calls, especially during displays. Vocalizations are harsh and guttural rather than musical.
