Oriental Darter

A long-necked waterbird nicknamed the 'snakebird' for its habit of swimming with its body submerged and only its thin head and neck visible above the surface, weaving like a snake through the water.

Hunts fish by spearing them underwater with a sharp, dagger-like bill, then surfacing to flip and swallow prey head-first. Lacking fully waterproof plumage, it must regularly perch with wings spread open to dry — a distinctive and often-photographed pose.