Indian Cormorant

1. Bird Name
The bird under discussion is the Indian Cormorant, also known in the scientific community as Phalacrocorax fuscicollis.

2. Appearance
The Indian Cormorant is a largely black bird, with a slender body and a long, slender beak featuring a hook at the end for catching fish. It has a distinctive emerald green eye color. The bird displays a slight difference in feather coloration depending on the maturity; with the adult having a glossy black body while the younger counterparts have a dark brown body. The chest and belly feathers exhibit scalloping effect. The distinguishing feature of the Indian Cormorant is a small and inconspicuous tuft on the back of the head during the breeding season. No significant differentiation exists between the male and female of the species in terms of appearance.

3. Size
Indian Cormorants typically reach an average length of about 60-63 cm (24-25 inches) with a wingspan of 90-100 cm. The weight of this bird species ranges between 1.5 to 2.6 kg.

4. Habitat & Distribution
Indian Cormorants are primarily located throughout the Indian subcontinent, including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. They are also present in some Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Myanmar, and Cambodia. The preferred habitat is typically within close proximity to bodies of water, including aquaculture ponds, marshes, lagoons, and lakes.

5. Interesting Facts
An interesting fact about Indian Cormorants is their exceptional underwater fishing technique; they dive from the surface and chase fish underwater. Another fact is their unique sunbathing posture, in which they stand with their wings spread wide open. This species has cultural significance in India where it features in local folklore, often being associated with wealth and regeneration due to its fishing skills.

6. Diet
The bird’s diet predominantly consists of fish. However, during lean periods, they have also been known to feed on amphibians and crustaceans.

7. Behavior & Sounds
They often exhibit group diving behavior when fishing. Unlike many birds, they do not have waterproof feathers and hence, they are often seen perching out of the water, spreading their wings wide for drying. Vocalizations are not common, but when in colonies, they emit a low, throaty croaking sound.

8. Conservation Status
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the Indian Cormorant is classified as ‘Least Concern’, indicating that the bird is currently not facing any significant threats of extinction.

9. Lifespan
Indian Cormorants typically live up to twelve years in the wild, with very few records of their lifespan in captivity.

10. Additional Notes
Locally in India, the bird is also known as the ‘Indian Shag’. Although Indian Cormorants tend to be rather shy of human interaction, they are not considered a pest species. Rather, they play a significant role in the ecosystem, maintaining a balance in the aquatic life by being proficient predators of fish. They also carry a significance in supporting the tourism industry by being an essential part of bird watching and photography.