Indian Darter (Anhinga melanogaster ) - Yala. Sri Lanka
Canon 7D
Canon 500mm F4 L IS plus 1.4x Extender
F5.6
ISO320
1/1000th
Bean Bag
Evaluative Metering -1 1/2
Text adapted from - http://www.economicexpert.com/a/Darter.html
Darters are cormorant-like water birds with very long necks and long, straight beaks. They often swim with only the neck above water, and are fish-eaters.
There are either two or four closely-related species in the darter family, Anhingidae. The Anhinga of the Americas (Anhinga anhinga) is clearly individual, the Indian, African, and Australian darters can be regarded as either three very similar species, or a single species with three widely separated subspecies (A. melanogaster melanogaster, A. melanogaster rufa and A. melanogaster novaehollandiae). In either case, all four share very similar behaviour and habitat. The Indian Darter is also commonly know as the Snake Bird.
This group is related to other Pelecaniformes such as Cormorants but also Pelicans, Frigate Birds and Boobies.
There is also an extinct species from Mauritius known only from bones, the Mauritian Darter, Anhinga nanus.
The Anhinga is native to the Americas. The Indian Darter is widespread eastwards from the Indian sub-continent to Indonesia, and differs in appearance from African and American darters most recognisably by its white lateral neck stripe.
Location: Yala Sri Lanka