Australasian Darter
Anhinga novaehollandiae
Australasian Darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae) — Seabirds & Tubenoses of Australia & Oceania.
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The Australasian Darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae) is a member of the Anhingidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 1.5 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Suliformes
- Family Anhingidae Anhingas, Darters
- Genus Anhinga
- Species novaehollandiae
Where it lives
Timor (eastern Lesser Sundas), New Guinea, and Australia (except south-central, Tasmania)
Quick facts
- Weight
- 1.5 kg
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Anhingidae
- Order
- Suliformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Australasian Darter hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it swims and feeds in and around water.
Migration
The Australasian Darter is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Australasian Darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae) belongs to the Anhingidae family of the order Suliformes. It is found across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU Timor (e Lesser Sundas), New Guinea, and Australia (except sc, Tasmania).
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1.5 kg, with a wing length of about 35.3 cm and a tail of around 21.9 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 6.8 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Australasian Darter?
The Australasian Darter is a very large bird that weighs around 1.5 kg.
Where does the Australasian Darter live?
The Australasian Darter is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU Timor (e Lesser Sundas), New Guinea, and Australia (except sc, Tasmania), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Australasian Darter belong to?
The Australasian Darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae) belongs to the Anhingidae family, in the order Suliformes.
What does the Australasian Darter eat?
The Australasian Darter hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Australasian Darter migrate?
The Australasian Darter is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Australasian Darter endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Australasian Darter make?
1 real field recording of the Australasian Darter — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Australasian Darter's range?
The Australasian Darter has a mapped global range of about 6.8 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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