The little black cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris) is common in smaller rivers and lakes throughout most areas of Australia and northern New Zealand, where it is known as the little black shag, as well as parts of Indonesia. Males and females have identical sleek black plumage and brilliant green-blue eyes – the bill is grey, and legs and feet are black. Little black cormorants hunt in massive flocks that can number in the hundreds. They have a translucent nictitating membrane (a third eyelid) that snaps shut underwater to protect their eyes while hunting.
Little black shag / cormorantLittle black shag / cormorant