Peppergrass

Little Cormorant

Phalacrocorax niger

Smallest of the cormorants and the most common of all the local cormorants. Short, deep-based bill which gives it an almost conical head. Relatively long tail and lacks a scaly back. Dull black and white throat, short brown bill with purple base and black tip. Bare skin on the face, throat and legs is black. Breeding plumage consists of black feathers with a greenish sheen, a small tufted crest on the forehead, no white on throat, some white plumage on the head and neck. Bare skin on face, throat and legs becomes purple. Juveniles have an off-white breast and throat. Direct flight with fast wing beats.

Posted on February 18, 2009 at 11:39 am in Birds, Cormorants, Galle, Sri Lanka.