Parent snake-necked birds are feeding their chicks - Photo: TRAN NGUYEN MINH QUAN
On August 2nd, Mr. Tran Nguyen Minh Quan (residing in Tan My ward, Ho Chi Minh City) reported that he had recorded images of a colony of snake-necked birds with more than a dozen nests, including parent birds and many chicks, in the old Bien Hoa area ( Dong Nai City).
Minh Quân enjoys filming and photographing wildlife in their natural habitat, including the rare snake-necked bird.
Recently, in early August, in the old Bien Hoa area, he observed and recorded images of a colony of snake-necked birds with more than a dozen nests in trees, estimated to contain about 50-70 birds, including both parents and chicks.
"There are about 10 nests in that area. It's the end of the breeding cycle for this season, and some of the chicks have grown. The largest ones are almost ready to fly, while the smallest still have downy feathers. Many parent birds are on duty daily to care for their young," he said.
Mr. Tran Nguyen Minh Quan shares about capturing images of the snake-necked bird population in Dong Nai City - Video : MINH QUAN - NGOC KHAI
According to Anh Quân, the snake-necked bird has a unique parenting habit. The parent birds forage for food, swallow it, and store it. When they fly back to the nest, they open their mouths so the chicks can stick their heads inside their necks to get food.
"The scene looks like the parent birds are swallowing their chicks, but it's actually a unique way for snake-necked birds to raise their young," he said. Through the images he captured, he hopes to spread the message of wildlife conservation.
According to Circular No. 85/2025/TT-BNNMT of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment , the snake-necked bird (also known as the Oriental Darter, scientific name: Anhinga melanogaster ) belongs to group IB in the list of endangered, rare, and precious forest plants and animals.
People should not hunt, buy, sell, transport, or keep illegally the snake-necked bird, as well as other wild animals. Violations of the law may result in administrative penalties or criminal prosecution, depending on the severity.
Many parent snake-necked birds are present to raise their chicks - Photo: TRAN NGUYEN MINH QUAN