Birds Active during the day

Little Pied Cormorant

Microcarbo melanoleucos

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

The Little Pied Cormorant is a charming, yellow-billed diver as comfortable in an urban garden as it is on a rugged coastline. Known for its iconic 'wing-drying' pose, this adaptable bird is a favorite for backyard birdwatchers and nature photographers alike.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 56-65 cm (22-26 in); Wingspan: 80-95 cm (31-37 in); Weight: 400-900 g (0.9-2 lbs)

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Colors

Glossy black upperparts and white underparts; yellow to pale orange short bill; dark grey to black legs

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Key Features

Smallest cormorant in its range
Short, stubby yellow bill
Small black crest on the forehead
White face and throat extending down to the belly

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 7-10 AM, 3-6 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet A generalist carnivore that dives to catch small fish, freshwater crustaceans like yabbies and shrimp, and various aquatic insects.

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Habitat Highly versatile; found in freshwater wetlands, rivers, estuaries, mangrove swamps, and suburban garden ponds.

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Where Does the Little Pied Cormorant Live?

The Little Pied Cormorant is native to the vast landscapes of Australasia and the Indo-Pacific, spanning a core range that includes the entirety of Australia, New Zealand, and New Guinea. Beyond these major landmasses, they are frequent residents of Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and the scattered islands of the south-western Pacific and subantarctic regions. While they are highly adaptable to various water sources, their highest population densities are found throughout the temperate and tropical coastal zones of the Australian mainland and both the North and South Islands of New Zealand.

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7 Countries

15M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

AU Australia NZ New Zealand ID Indonesia Papua New Guinea Timor-Leste Solomon Islands New Caledonia

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Little Pied Cormorant is a solitary and highly capable hunter, often seen perched alone on a branch or rock overhanging the water. Unlike many other waterbirds, their feathers are not fully waterproof. While this reduced buoyancy allows them to dive deeper and stay underwater longer to chase prey, it also means they get waterlogged. You will frequently see them standing with their wings spread wide in a 'heraldic' pose, using the sun and wind to dry their plumage before their next flight.

While they are less social than their larger cousins during the day, they often gather in communal roosts at night or during the breeding season. They are remarkably bold and have adapted exceptionally well to human-modified environments. It is not uncommon to find them visiting suburban backyard fish ponds or urban park lakes, where they quickly learn the best spots to snag a meal.

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Camera Tips

Placement is the most critical factor for capturing high-quality footage of this species. Focus your camera on a 'drying perch'—usually a log, rock, or low branch that protrudes from or over-hangs the water. These birds are creatures of habit and will return to the same sunny spot to dry their wings after a hunting session. Set your camera height to be level with the perch to capture the most intimate, eye-level details of their plumage and bill.

Because the Little Pied Cormorant has high-contrast black and white feathers, lighting can be tricky. Avoid placing the camera where it will face the direct midday sun, as this often results in 'blown-out' white feathers and lost detail in the black sections. Early morning or late afternoon light provides a softer glow that highlights the glossy sheen of their back. If your camera allows for exposure adjustment, a slight underexposure can help preserve the detail in their white chest.

Use a high-speed trigger or video mode to capture their unique behaviors. The 'wing-drying' pose is spectacular on video, especially when they shake their tail or flick their wings to shed water. If you are setting up near a backyard pond, ensure the camera is close enough to trigger on a bird roughly the size of a crow; these aren't large birds, so a medium-range sensitivity setting is usually best.

While you should never use artificial bait to attract them, maintaining a healthy, chemical-free pond with natural vegetation and a few native fish or shrimp is the best natural lure. In the wild, look for 'whitewash' (white bird droppings) on lakeside structures—this is a surefire sign of a regular resting spot and the perfect place for a trail camera setup.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Little Pied Cormorant.

Little Black Cormorant

Entirely black plumage and a longer, slender grey bill, compared to the white front and yellow bill of the Little Pied.

Great Cormorant

Much larger (nearly double the size) with a heavier, grey-hooked bill and mostly black plumage with only a small white patch on the face.

Pied Cormorant

Larger than the Little Pied, with a longer bill and a distinct orange patch of skin in front of the eye.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Little Pied Cormorants are strictly diurnal, meaning they are active during daylight hours. They are most active in the early morning and late afternoon when they do the bulk of their hunting. During the middle of the day, you are more likely to see them perched in a sunny spot drying their wings.

The best way to attract them is to have a reasonably sized garden pond stocked with small native fish or crustaceans like yabbies. Providing a safe, sturdy perch that extends over the water—such as a fallen branch or a large rock—will give them a place to land and dry their wings, making your yard a preferred stopover.

They are generalist carnivores. In freshwater environments, they primarily eat crayfish (yabbies), shrimp, and small fish. In marine environments, they target small fish and various saltwater crustaceans. They catch their prey by diving underwater and chasing it with great agility.

Yes, they are very common in suburban areas throughout Australia and New Zealand. They are highly adaptable and frequently inhabit artificial wetlands, golf course ponds, and ornamental garden lakes, provided there is enough food and a place to dry off.

The easiest way to tell them apart is the color of their underparts. The Little Pied Cormorant is stark white from its throat down to its belly, whereas the Little Black Cormorant is entirely black. Additionally, the Little Pied has a short yellow bill, while the Little Black has a longer, greyish bill.

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