Microcarbo melanoleucos melanoleucos

(Vieillot, 1817)

Vernacular names
English : Little pied cormorant
French : Cormoran pie

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Pelecaniformes
Family : Phalacrocoracidae
Notes : 2 other subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can grow to 65 cm in length for a weight of 963 g. Unmistakable species with its pure white cheeks, throat, flanks, breast and belly. Rest of plumage is entirely black. Clear eye-contour, bill is short and mostly yellow with black culmen.

Range and habitat
This subspecies occurs from central Indonesia to New Caledonia, south to Australia. Species also found on Rennell Island and on New Zealand. Lives in freshwater wetlands, including artificial ponds in cities, with trees nearby.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is widespread and locally abundant. It has suffered from destruction of wetlands and the effects of overfishing, leading to prey rarefaction.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation
Hong Kong Zoo (Hong Kong), Parc des Oiseaux (France)

 

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