African darter, Anhinga rufa rufa, #12834

African darter.   Darters are also known as snakebirds because they swim with only their heads and necks out of the water.  A hinge mechanism at the birds eighth neck vertebra enables the bird to strike, snapping up insects on the water and stabbing fish.  A stabbed fish is shaken loose, flipped up in the air and swallowed head first., Anhinga rufa rufa, natural history stock photograph, photo id 12834
African darter. Darters are also known as snakebirds because they swim with only their heads and necks out of the water. A hinge mechanism at the birds eighth neck vertebra enables the bird to strike, snapping up insects on the water and stabbing fish. A stabbed fish is shaken loose, flipped up in the air and swallowed head first.

Species: African darter, Anhinga rufa rufa
Image ID: 12834
Format: Digital 2:3
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