Cormorants

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Indian Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis) - Perching on the suspension bridge in Viharamahadevi Park, in Central Colombo 7. The black body has a shine to it, as do the brown and black wings. With bright turquoise eyes. (1)

Indian Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis) - In fine breeding plumage with bright turquoise eyes and a tuft of white behind the ear coverts. The wings have a brown and black pattern. More common in dry zone, but also seen in wet zone, like this one in Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo. (1)

Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster) - Showing its beautiful white and black wing feathers, flexible neck, and preening with its beak.

Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster) - Making the best of a strong breeze to dry off quickly.

Little Cormorant (Phalacrocorax niger) - Drying its black feathers on a tree stump at Jetwing Vil Uyana.

Little Cormorant (Phalacrocorax niger) - Fishing in the Gin Ganga (river) at dusk, near Galle Fort.

Little Cormorant (Phalacrocorax niger) - And another fish a few minutes later.

Little Cormorant (Phalacrocorax niger) - And a third.

Indian Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis) & Little Cormorant (Phalacrocorax niger) - Sitting comfortably together on small stumps at the waters edge, Jetwing Vil Uyana.

Indian Cormorants (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis) - Working as a team to herd the fish together into a shoal, making them easier to catch.

A mixed group of cormorants & darters - Sharing a bare tree at sundown.

Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster) - Still preening.

Little Cormorants (Phalacrocorax niger) - Resting and preening.

Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster) - With its last catch of the day.

Darters & Cormorants - On a half dead tree bedside the reed beds and freshwater lagoon at Bundala national Park.

Oriental Darters (Anhinga melanogaster) - On a dead tree at dusk.

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Indian Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis)

Indian Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis)

Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster)

Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster)

Little Cormorant (Phalacrocorax niger)

Little Cormorant (Phalacrocorax niger)

Little Cormorant (Phalacrocorax niger)

Little Cormorant (Phalacrocorax niger)

Indian Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis) & Little Cormorant (Phalacrocorax niger)

Indian Cormorants (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis)

A mixed group of cormorants & darters

Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster)

Little Cormorants (Phalacrocorax niger)

Oriental Darters (Anhinga melanogaster)

Darters & Cormorants

Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster)

Sri Lanka. So much more than you can see in a lifetime.

Bird References
1. Harrison J. A Field Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka, 2nd edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2011.
2. Henry G.M. A Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka, 3rd edn. Colombo: Oxford University Press; 1998.