The Oriental darter is a sleek, long-necked waterbird resembling a cormorant. It primarily hunts fish but also preys on insects, amphibians, and aquatic reptiles. Classified as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the species is seldom seen in China. It typically inhabits freshwater lakes or rivers and occasionally ventures into mangrove swamps and coastal estuaries.

Changjiang Haiwei Wetland Park is a biodiversity hotspot with 213 documented bird species, including three under top-tier national protection and 39 under secondary protection.