The Oriental Darter is a large, cormorant-like waterbird found across South and Southeast Asian wetlands. It gets its nickname – the Snake Bird from its long, slender neck which resembles a snake when the bird swims with its body fully submerged.
An unmistakable large waterbird with a very long, thin neck and a straight, dagger-shaped bill. Adults have a glossy blackish body with bold white streaks on the wings and a brownish head and neck featuring a distinct white stripe from the eye down the side of the neck. It is found in freshwater lakes, coastal marshes, large rivers, and ex-tin mining ponds with fringing trees.
It is a recent “migrant” to West Malaysia, including Seberang Perai, with recent nesting records throughout the west coast.
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/oriental-darter-anhinga-melanogaster
At Teluk Air Tawar – Kuala Muda: both a resident and a migrant. MNS photographed it at the Sungai Abdul river mouth in December 2024. See When to see shorebirds at Teluk Air Tawar – Kuala Muda.
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