Anhinga rufa
African Darters have a wingspan of up to 1.3m and weigh in at as much as 1.7kg.
Darters are common residents at most wetlands, lakes, dams and slow flowing rivers, and occasionally lagoons and estuaries. They swim low in the water, usually with only their neck and head above the water, and can stay underwater for up to a minute when pursuing prey. African Darters feed mostly on fish, and occasionally frogs, water snakes and crustaceans, which are swallowed whole and head first.
Breeding occurs in colonies (often mixed with other species) in trees and reedbeds, mostly during the summer months. Nests are platforms built of sticks, on which both parents incubate the 3-6 eggs with their feet. Darter feathers are not waterproof, explaining why they are often seen sunning themselves on rocks and dead tree branches with wings outstretched. Some birds loose all their feathers when they moult after the breeding season, and then are flightless for a short period.
African Darters occur over most of Africa south of the Sahara, and can be seen almost all over South Africa, even occurring in the arid west of the country along the course of the Orange River. Despite a declining population (estimated at between 25,000 and 127,000) in many range states, the IUCN considers the African Darter of “least concern”.
DeWetsWild 
Some excellent shots
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Thanks so much!
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it must be very closely related to the cormorant?
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In fact latest studies have shown them to be more closely related to herons than the cormorants, though the resemblance is striking!
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Really wonderful and beautiful photos, again. 🙂 The bird reminds of a cormorant, when it sits with its wings stretched out. Large cormorant feathers are not waterproof either.
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Thanks John! Indeed, the Darters closely resemble cormorants in looks and habits, though latest studies seem to indicate that they are more closely related to herons.
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Beautiful and graceful, but you already know I love the fishing birds.
janet
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They certainly are very elegant, thanks Janet!
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Beautiful Bird! 🙂
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Very graceful!
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