Little Pied Cormorant

1. Breeding adults develop elongated head feathers forming a shaggy crest

2. Short, thick yellow bill with dark ridge along the top

3. Clean division between black upper parts and white underparts with no black "trousers"

These adaptable birds breed when conditions are favourable, either in small colonies or as single pairs. They build stick nests typically in trees overhanging water. Both parents share incubation duties and care for their young. Their diving technique is distinctive – watch for their synchronized foot kicks as they propel themselves underwater to catch prey.

Little Pied Cormorants can be spotted throughout Australia on virtually any water body – from tiny urban ponds to large lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. Early morning is prime viewing time when they're actively fishing with their characteristic dive-and-swim technique. Look for them perched on branches, rocks, or posts near water, often with wings outstretched to dry. In urban areas, check ornamental ponds and city lakes where they've adapted well. Listen for splashes as they dive – they're underwater fishers\!

The Little Pied Cormorant is a true Australian native, having adapted to virtually every aquatic habitat across the continent. Its remarkable ability to thrive in both natural environments and human-modified landscapes has made it one of the most successful and widely distributed waterbirds in Australia.