Common Name: Little Black Cormorant

Distribution: Ranges from New Zealand’s North Island, throughout Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia (but not Sumatra) and the Malay Peninsula. 

Ecological Notes: Typically observed in wetlands and sheltered coastal waters, especially lakes, reservoirs, rivers, bays and inlets. The Little Black Cormorant feeds primarily on fish, and eats a higher proportion of fish than the frequently co-occurring Little Pied Cormorant, which eats more crustaceans.

Additional Notes: Forms flocks when chasing prey, individuals leap frogging those in front. Often observed in small groups drying wings on fallen or dead trees over water. Walks with a waddling gait, but flies with strong wing beats.

References: Atlas of Living Australia at Little Black Cormorant Accessed 13 August 2023.
Wikipedia. “Little Black Cormorant.” Last modified 28 December 2019. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_black_cormorant