Australasian Darter

86-94 cm; span c. 1.2 m. Differs from cormorants in stiletto-bill, snake-like kinked neck, pointed patterns in dark plumage and larger black tail. Male: black, with white neck-streak. In breeding plumage, chestnut neck markings richer; long pointed plumes on upperwing-coverts and scapulars. Female: head and neck pale grey with white streak; foreneck and breast cream-white. Immature: like pale female; neck greyish. Young males develop black neck, with contrasting whitish belly. Singles or pairs; open companies: dries wings on dead branches, logs, navigation piles. On approach, snake-like neck writhes about. When swimming on surface, the body submerges, leaving only snake-like head and neck showing, hence 'Snake-bird'. Flight distinctive: wingbeats rapid, shallow, every few strokes broken by glides; often soars high on slender black wings, square black tail fanned.