Little Cormorant

An all black ducklike waterbird with a distinctive flattish head and a bill that is sharply hooked at the tip. Smallest of the cormorants found in the region. Breeding adults have white plumes on the sides of the head. Like all cormorants, frequently seen swimming with its body low in the water, head and neck pointing upward, and suddenly disappearing underwater to catch fish. Often perches upright on a rock, drying itself with outstretched wings. Seen singly or in small groups in inland water bodies. Similar to Indian Cormorant, but note smaller size, stouter bill, and shape of the head, flat on Little Cormorant and rounded on Indian Cormorant.

The little cormorant inhabits a variety of wetlands in Sri Lanka, including ponds, lakes, rivers, swamps, canals, and rice fields. They are also found in estuaries and mangroves.

In Sri Lanka, the Little Cormorant primarily feeds on a diet of small freshwater fish, with occasional frogs and tadpoles, which they catch by diving underwater in shallow waters; essentially, their diet consists mainly of fish, similar to other regions where they are found.