Photo: A.Savin / FAL (Wikimedia Commons)
Little Cormorant
Microcarbo niger
Little Cormorant (Microcarbo niger) — Seabirds & Tubenoses of South & Southeast Asia.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Little Cormorant (Microcarbo niger) is a member of the Phalacrocoracidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 427 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Suliformes
- Family Phalacrocoracidae Cormorants, Shags
- Genus Microcarbo
- Species niger
Where it lives
Widespread inland and coastal, Indus Valley (central Pakistan) through sub-Himalayan India and Nepal to Sri Lanka, east to southern China, Vietnam and Java
Quick facts
- Weight
- 427 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Phalacrocoracidae
- Order
- Suliformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Little Cormorant hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it swims and feeds in and around water.
Migration
The Little Cormorant is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Little Cormorant (Microcarbo niger) is a species of bird in the Phalacrocoracidae family, part of the order Suliformes. It is found across South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR widespread inland and coastal, Indus Valley (c Pakistan) through sub-Himalayan India and Nepal to Sri Lanka, e to s China, Vietnam and Java.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 427 g, with a wing length of about 19.6 cm and a tail of around 13.1 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 3.8 million km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Little Cormorant?
The Little Cormorant is a large bird that weighs around 427 g.
Where does the Little Cormorant live?
The Little Cormorant is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR widespread inland and coastal, Indus Valley (c Pakistan) through sub-Himalayan India and Nepal to Sri Lanka, e to s China, Vietnam and Java, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Little Cormorant belong to?
The Little Cormorant (Microcarbo niger) belongs to the Phalacrocoracidae family, in the order Suliformes.
What does the Little Cormorant eat?
The Little Cormorant hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Little Cormorant migrate?
The Little Cormorant is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Little Cormorant endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the Little Cormorant's range?
The Little Cormorant has a mapped global range of about 3.8 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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