Birds and Birding's Guide to:

Watching THE STORK-LIKE BIRDS

THE ANHINGAS, OR DARTERS (Family Anhingidm)

Darter Behaviour

"It is more or less gregarious by habit, the number seen together varying with the attractions of the locality, and ranging from eight or ten to thirty, or even several hundred. In the breeding season it moves in pairs. It is a diurnal bird, and if unmolested, returns each night to the same roosting place. When asleep it is said to stand with its body almost erect.

"This is said to be the very first among fresh-water divers, disappearing beneath the surface with the quickness of thought, moving scarcely a ripple on the spot, and reappearing, perhaps with its head only above the water for a moment, at a place several hundred yards distant.

If hit, and only wounded, this bird readily baffles all the endeavors of the sportsman to secure it. When swimming, and unmolested, it is buoyant, and moves with its whole body above the water, but when in danger it sinks its body, leaving only the head and neck out of the water, presenting the appearance of a portion of a large snake."

At times these birds rise to a considerable height in the air, — 2000 or more feet, probably, where they soar with ease, remaining in the air for a considerable period of time.

They nest somewhat in colonies in swamps, selecting secluded localities where they are not likely to be interrupted. The nest is a rather loosely made structure of sticks, leaves, and moss, and is placed in low bushes over the water; the three to five eggs are bluish, covered with a whitish chalky deposit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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