Little Black Cormorant

The Little Black Cormorant, Phalacrocorax sulcirostris, is a sleek, all-black bird with a slender profile, measuring approximately 60 centimetres in length. Its plumage glistens with a greenish sheen, particularly noticeable on the back. During the breeding season, one may observe white feathers scattered irregularly around the head and neck, and a whitish eyebrow becomes prominent. Outside of breeding, the plumage fades to a more brownish hue. Both sexes are identical in appearance, with green eyes in adults and brown in juveniles, grey bills, and black legs and feet.

Identification Tips

To identify the Little Black Cormorant, look for its uniform black coloration, greenish sheen on the back, and the occasional white feathers around the head during breeding season. The long, slender grey bill and black feet are also distinctive features. Juveniles can be recognized by their brown and black plumage.

Habitat

This species is predominantly freshwater, inhabiting inland water bodies and occasionally venturing into sheltered coastal areas. It is almost invariably associated with water, be it rivers, lakes, or wetlands.

Distribution

The Little Black Cormorant is found from the Malay Peninsula through parts of Indonesia, excluding Sumatra, and New Guinea, including the D'Entrecasteaux Islands. Its range extends throughout Australia and into New Zealand's North Island.

Behaviour

The Little Black Cormorant is a sociable bird, often seen in large flocks. It exhibits a unique gregariousness not commonly seen in other cormorants. Observers may note these flocks flying in V formations.

Breeding

Breeding takes place annually, timed with spring or autumn in southern Australia, and around the monsoon in tropical regions. The nest is a modest platform of dried branches and sticks, situated in trees standing in water. These nests are often in the company of other waterbirds. The clutch consists of three to five pale blue eggs, coated with a matte white lime layer, which, along with the nest, becomes stained over the breeding season.

Diet and Feeding

The Little Black Cormorant's diet is predominantly fish, with a preference for common carp in certain regions. It exhibits a coordinated hunting strategy in flocks, where the birds take off, flap their wings against the water, dive synchronously, and surface to consume their catch. This tight-knit group can number in the hundreds and maintains a formation of 10 to 20 meters while advancing.

Conservation status

The Little Black Cormorant is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating that it currently faces no significant threats to its population levels.