Anhinga rufa rufa

(Daudin, 1802)

Vernacular names
English : African darter
French : Anhinga d’Afrique

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Pelecaniformes
Family : Anhingidae
Notes : 2 other subspecies known.

Identification
Body length reaching 97 cm for a weight of 1.8 kg and a wingspan of 1.20 m. Most of plumage black with brown breast, neck and head. White stripe from bill to mid-neck. Very long neck, long silvery plumes on wings, long and thin bill.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in most of sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar and in south-west Asia in Iran and Iraq in wetlands of lower Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Lives near marshes, wetlands and mangroves with trees around.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is locally common but has been declining in western Africa and Madagascar. Population in Iraq and Iran is very close to extinction.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation
Tierpark Berlin (Germany), Burgers Zoo (Netherlands)

 

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