- Microcarbo niger
Phalacrocorax niger
Identification
55 cm
Mainly glossy black in the breeding season, with white head plumes and a whitish throat. The wing coverts are silvery, and it has a long tail.
Sexes are similar, but non-breeding adults and juveniles are browner and lack the head plumes.
Distribution
Asia: found in southern Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
Taxonomy
Formerly placed in genus Phalacrocorax.
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Freshwater wetlands and on coasts.
Behaviour
Breeding
The clutch contains 2-6 eggs, though usually four are laid. The nest is made from sticks and leaves placed in bushes or trees over water in a or in reed beds or long grass.
Diet
It can dive to considerable depths, but usually feeds in shallow water. It frequently brings prey to the surface. Their diet consists of a wide variety of small freshwater fish, frogs and tadpoles.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2021. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2021. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Little Cormorant. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 27 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Little_Cormorant
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
