Photo: Derek Keats from Johannesburg, South Africa / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
African Darter
Anhinga rufa
African Darter (Anhinga rufa) — Seabirds & Tubenoses of Africa.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The African Darter (Anhinga rufa) is a member of the Anhingidae family found in Africa and Europe & Northern Asia. 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 rufa
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 African 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 African Darter is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The African Darter (Anhinga rufa) belongs to the Anhingidae family of the order Suliformes. Its range spans Africa and Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers AF, PAL se Iraq, Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1.5 kg, with a wing length of about 34.4 cm and a tail of around 24.3 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 18 million km² — a very large global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the African Darter?
The African Darter is a very large bird that weighs around 1.5 kg.
Where does the African Darter live?
The African Darter is found across Africa and Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering AF, PAL se Iraq, Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the African Darter belong to?
The African Darter (Anhinga rufa) belongs to the Anhingidae family, in the order Suliformes.
What does the African Darter eat?
The African Darter hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the African Darter migrate?
The African Darter is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the African 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 African Darter make?
1 real field recording of the African Darter — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the African Darter's range?
The African Darter has a mapped global range of about 18 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.
Explore more birds
More in Anhingidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Seabirds & Tubenoses
Least Concern
Endangered
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Critically Endangered
Not Evaluated