Phalacrocorax melanoleucos

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Family

Phalacrocoracidae

Genus

Phalacrocorax

Species

melanoleucos

Common Names

Little Pied Cormorant, Frilled Shag, Little Black-and-white Cormorant, Little Black-and-white Shag

Distinguishing Features

This bird is black on is back, wings and tail, with white underparts and a yellow and black bill. It has a blunt hooked bill and dark webbed feet. In the breeding season, they develop a spiky black crest on the top of their head. They are 55-60cm in size, with a dark eye surrounded by a white face. Young birds are similar, except they have black colouring above the eye. Very young nestlings have bare reddish skin on their head.

Survey Techniques

Call and visual identification.

Species Call

A nesting 'keh-keh-keh-' or a harsh, deep 'uk-uk-urk'.

Similar Species

The Peid Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius) is a larger bird with almost identical colourings. At close range, their yellow, blue and pink bare facial skin is noticiable.

Distribution

The Pied Cormorant is likely to be found around any body of water across most regions of Australia, excluding the most arid central regions. They are also found across eastern Indonesia, New Guinea, New Zealand and on several of the southwest Pacific islands.

Country of Origin

Australia

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - Regional

This species is rare to the Canberra region, with most records from the Jerrabomberra Wetlands. They are more common in the cooler months.

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - National

Secure, not listed under the EPBC Act 1999.

LSCCES Population

Most sightings were made at the NMA, with some birds seen on the lake's edge at Civic West, BMP and ANU.

Associated vegetation community

This species will inhabit a wide range of watered areas, including lakes, dams and floodwaters. They are also often seen in sheltered coastal lagoons, harbours and bays.

Limiting Resources

Little Pied Cormorants depend on a variety of larger aquatic food species for their diet and on vegetation surrounding a waterbody. Rainfall is important, as they will only breed when water levels around wetlands are extremely high.

Breeding

This species breeds in colonies in well-vegetated wetlands. Nests are positioned in the trees overhanging the water, in bushes or sometimes on the ground. They are platforms of sticks and bark of about 30-35cm in diameter. The 3-5 white, blue-tinted eggs have a white chalky coating. The parents take turns in incubating the eggs with their webbed feet.

Behaviour

Little Pied Cormorants are most likely to be seen sunning themselves on bare branches, stumps or walls around water bodies. Here, they shake water off and preen themselves after swimming, with their wings outstretched. The birds swim to catch fish, sometimes seen paddling on the surface. In the breeding season, male birds call from their chosen nesting site, bowing low with raised wings in display for his appointed female.

Functional Group

Carnivore

Food Species

The strong bill allows this species to hunt crustaceans, yabbies (Cherax destructor) in particular. Carp (Cyprinus carpio) and redfin (Perca fluviatilis) are the preferred fish species and are eaten where available.

Predators

Adult Little Pied Cormorants guard their nests carefully, with a watchful eye and a strong bill, and are less prone to attacks from common predators.

Interesting Fact

Little Pied Cormorants have specially designed nasal salt glands that allow them to swim and fish through seawater and then flush out any excess salt swallowed.