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Little Cormorants at Malim Nawar, Perak, Malaysia

on 20th December 2015

Danaraj Maniam encountered a small flock of migratory Little Cormorant (Phalacrocorax niger) at the Malim Nawar Wetland, an extensive ex-tin mining area with some of the water bodies turned into fish farms (above).

These cormorants feed mainly on small freshwater fish. They land on the water and from the surface they dive in to pursue the fish (above, below).

They normally stay around for an hour or so catching fish.

Then they fly off to gather along the shore (above) or on any dead tree branches (below) to rest and to dry their wings in the sun.

Taking off from the water surface involves running along the water surface (below)…

..all the while flapping the wings vigorously until it can gain enough speed (below).

…to become airborne (below).

“This is a very shy bird and also afraid of people. When taking photographs I have to keep a distance of around 50 meters and seated in the car to get a shot of them.

These cormorants are migratory birds, but I see them around whenever I go to Malim Nawar. Looks like they are staying there permanently. Counted the birds and there are around 27 of them.

Danaraj Maniam
Malaysia
December 2015

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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