Australasian Darter

A large, slim water bird with a long snake-like neck, sharp pointed bill, and long, rounded tail. Males are dark brownish black with glossy black upperwings, streaked and spotted white, silver-grey and brown. Females and immatures are grey-brown above, pale grey to white below, with a white neck stripe that is less distinct in young birds. Often seen swimming with only the snake-like neck visible above the water or drying its wings while perched on a tree or stump over water. The Darter catches fish with its sharp bill partly open while diving in water deeper than 60 cm. The fish is pierced from underneath, flicked onto the water's surface and then swallowed head first.