Anhinga novaehollandiae (Australasian Darter)

IUCN Status: Least Concern

This is an amazing predatory species. They are also known as “snake bird” due to the fact that when they swim their body remains below the surface, leaving the snake-like neck and head above. Australian darters are found around fresh or brackish wetlands all over Australia (except the desert areas around the borders of WA with SA and the NT, and TAS). They are also found in New Guinea. They hunt for fish under the water and attack by striking out with their long necks, mouths open, and skewer their prey with their spear like beaks.

When I first saw this bird come up with its prize, the first few shots I took showed the fish speared through by the lower section of the birds beak. He flipped the fish up into the air and caught it again as it is in this shot.