African Darter

Afrikaans name: Slanghalsvoël

African Darter sunning itself

Photo © Steven Herbert

Anhinga rufa

The African Darter is sometimes given the unfortunate sounding name of Snake Bird. Presumably this is a reference to its long neck.

This bird is always found in or near water. It will either be swimming, with just its neck showing, diving underneath the water in search of food or sitting on a stump.

The African Darter uses its sharp bill to spear fish under water. It will then bring it to the surface and manoeuvre it into its bill, head first, and swallow it.

The pair build a nest out of sticks in a tree often in association with herons, egrets and spoonbills. Up to 6 eggs are laid.

Photo © Steven Herbert

Surprisingly these birds do not have water proof plumage which is why they are often seen drying or sunning themselves.

Males are darker than females.

References and further reading

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 35

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 190

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 190

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 52

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 37

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 12

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 2

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 17

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 29

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 13

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 7

Common Birds of the North Coast - Author: Bing Comrie - Published: 2005 - Page: 3

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 40

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 24

Freshwater Life - Author: C. Griffiths, J. Day & M. Picker - Published: 2015 - Page: 56

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 50

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 409

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 64

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 64

Questions and Answers - Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 20

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 19

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 25

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 29

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 43

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 43

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 52

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 56

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 8

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 128

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 19

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 29

Wild Issue 37 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 68

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 28

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 33

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds