Recently, residents and photographers have gathered around Ban Nguyet Lake in the Phu My Hung urban area (formerly District 7) to observe and photograph darters perching on branches and diving for fish.
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Darters perched on a branch by Ban Nguyet Lake in Phu My Hung urban area. Photo: Minh Quan
Photographer Tran Nguyen Minh Quan said the darters have been coming to the area to hunt fish since late June. Initially, there were two adult birds, later joined by two more, forming a small flock. Each bird is about 60-70 cm tall with a one-meter wingspan, glossy black feathers, and an orange lower beak.
Quan captured images of the birds diving underwater, spearing carp with their sharp beaks. He noted that the birds usually arrive at the lake to feed between 9-10 a.m., then perch on branches. They resume hunting around 4-5 p.m. before flying elsewhere or roosting in dense foliage.
Darters at the lake in Phu My Hung. Video: Minh Quan
Nguyen Cong Bang, deputy head of the Cu Chi Forest Protection Department (Ho Chi Minh City Forest Protection Sub-department), said the darter, also known as the anhinga, is classified as endangered and listed in Vietnam's Red Book. Hunting, capturing, keeping, or illegally trading these birds is prohibited.
According to Bang, these migratory birds usually appear in wetland areas like Lang Sen (formerly Long An), Dong Thap, and Nam Cat Tien forest (Dong Nai). Last year, officials rescued an adult darter that flew into a resident's house. "These birds might have flown from the Mekong Delta region to hunt and settled here due to favorable conditions," Bang said.
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A darter hunting fish in Ban Nguyet Lake. Photo: Vu NatureLife
Darters are named for their long, slender necks, which resemble snakes. They can live for 9 years in the wild.
The Phu My Hung urban area, located in the south of the city along Nguyen Van Linh Street, was built from a swamp, starting in 1993. It was expanded and essentially completed by 2020. The area has many natural canals and is home to various species of plants and animals.
Dinh Van
