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Microcarbo niger
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.
Perched on a small pillar, this bird was seen foraging alone on edge of small stream, just in between that famous sandy beach and the rich agricultural area (vegetables, chilli, betel leaf, watermelons) inside the peninsula.
As they 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.
Spotted on Mar 14, 2019
Submitted on Mar 31, 2019
2 Comments
Thank you Brian - this one sits on some sort of a cement pillar from an old construction - not clear if the construction was abandoned soon after the start or got damaged and cleared later on... There are plenty of both of these in the area.
Splendid series Zlatan! What is it sitting on? The surveyor inside me is curious.