In this month’s issue of Feather Fascination, Jim Butler explains physiological features of the Australasian Darter which enable it to perform so many remarkable and varied manoeuvres.

It can dive into water with barely a ripple, swim underwater for 30 metres but it can also soar swiftly and beautifully at high elevations on air thermals.

Find out also about their spear fishing techniques and learn why we often see them fanning their wings, as in the photo of a female below, provided by Ed Frazer.

 Click to read on: Feather Fascination February 2018