little cormorant

The Little Cormorant (Phalacrocorax niger) is a widespread and common member of the cormorant family. Found primarily across South and Southeast Asia, this sleek, black water bird is a master of the wetlands, easily recognized by its diving prowess and characteristic upright perching stance.

Measuring approximately 51 cm in length, the Little Cormorant is a duck-like water bird with a distinctive silhouette. It features a longish stiff tail and a slender, compressed bill that is sharply hooked at the tip for gripping prey. While its plumage is mostly black, it possesses a small white patch on the throat that becomes more prominent during certain seasons.

The Little Cormorant is highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of aquatic environments, including:

• Freshwater: Rivers, lakes, reservoirs, village tanks, marshes, and canals.
• Brackish and Saltwater: Estuaries, saltpans, and coastal waters.
• Social Patterns: They may occur singly in smaller waters or gather in great flocks on large inland waters.

The diet of the Little Cormorant is exclusively fish. These birds are specialized hunters that use their streamlined bodies to dive deep and chase prey underwater with remarkable speed and precision.

Little Cormorants typically breed in colonies, often sharing nesting sites with other water birds like herons and egrets. They construct platform nests made of sticks, usually placed in trees that are either submerged in or located very close to water bodies.

One of their most notable behaviors is hunting in parties. They frequently cooperate with other species, such as the Indian Cormorant, to drive schools of fish toward shallower water. After fishing, they are often seen perching upright on rocks or trees with their wings spread wide to dry in the sun, as their feathers are not entirely waterproof.

The Little Cormorant is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Due to its wide distribution and ability to thrive in man-made water bodies like reservoirs and village tanks, its population remains stable.

1. Unlike many other water birds, their feathers lack sufficient oil to be waterproof, which actually helps them dive deeper by reducing buoyancy.
2. They are often mistaken for ducks from a distance, but their hooked bills and long tails are clear identifiers.
3. They are highly social birds, often seen in large communal roosts near water.

To get the best view of a Little Cormorant, visit inland wetlands or village ponds during the early morning or late afternoon. Look for them on exposed branches or rocks near the water's edge where they often sit motionless to dry their wings. Binoculars will help you spot the small white throat patch.

The Little Cormorant is an essential part of the Asian aquatic ecosystem. Its presence is often an indicator of a healthy fish population, and its unique behaviors make it a favorite subject for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike.