Little Cormorant

The little cormorant is about 50 cm long, slightly smaller than the Indian cormorant, with a shorter bill and no peaked head. It is widespread across the Indian subcontinent and east to Java. It forages singly or in loose groups on lowland freshwater bodies, including small ponds, large lakes and streams, and sometimes coastal estuaries. Like other cormorants it perches on waterside rocks with wings spread (Wikipedia, general species account).

Breeding birds are glossy black with white spots and filoplumes on the face and a short crest; non-breeding birds and juveniles are brownish with a small white throat patch. It breeds gregariously in trees, often joining other waterbirds at heronries.