Little Cormorant

Description:

This is a small cormorant, about 50cm in length. I observed these often during my stay in Cox's, and in this season (feb-march) they were all in non-breeding attire (pictured) : black in appearance, but the plumage i reality is dark brown, with that white easily recognized white chin. The breeding plumage becomes almost glossy black, with some silvery tips. Feet are all black and webbed, and the stout bill is silvery-grey in colour, and not particularly long

Habitat:

Three birds observed perched at various spots above the intertidal zone of the beach at the bottom of hills of Himchari National Park, near Cox's Bazar. The beach in question is the part of That beach (longest sand beach of the world - 120 Km).

Notes:

As their ranges overlap, the Little cormorant is often confused with its slightly larger cousin, Indian cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis). The later has a narrower and longer bill which ends in a prominent hook tip, and a more pointed head profile. During the non-breeding season, the Indian cormorant sports some bare yellow facial skin. The eye is always blue, contrary to Little cormorant, whose eyes are black.