Scientific name: Phalacrocorax pygmeus (Pallas, 1773)
Bird group: Gannets and Cormorants
Field characters. 45-55 cm. Much smaller and more agile than Great Cormorant; in flight recalls Common Coot, but with longer tail and rather small rounded head. In breeding plumage both sexes show dark red-brown head; upperparts glossy greenish black with distinct white specks; black scapulars and upper-wing coverts with grey tinge. White specks absent outside the breeding season, when throat white and breast red-brown. Juvenile with white chin, brown throat and breast, brownish white underparts and yellowish bill.
Voice. Silent; on breeding place a persistent croaking call.
Distribution. Locally relatively abundant in small colonies, but generally uncommon and range is decreasing due to drainage.
Habitat. Prefers open and standing inland waters, swamps and floodlands. Nests in trees, scrubs or reedbeds in wetlands, often together with herons of various species.
Food. Chiefly fish, obtained by diving.
Eggs. Initially without markings, becoming brown during incubation. Ground colour pale blue/greenish, covered with white chalk layer. Shape typical long subelliptical. Size 47 x 30 mm (40-52 x 28-33), weight 23 g. Very much like eggs of other cormorant in appearance.