Abstract
The foraging behaviour and diving patterns of Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger were studied during August 2005 to March 2006 by direct observation of individuals foraging at Kallampara River (11009’25.5”N & 75051’02.0”E), near the Kadalundy Bird Sanctuary, Kozhikode District, Kerala, India. The individuals observed, foraged solitarily in shallow waters and displayed relatively short diving bouts composed of several dives (25.3 � plus or minus 5.75). The dive duration was positively related to surface resting time. Also, duration of dives decreased with increase in the number of dive cycles per bout. The mean diving efficiency was within the range reported for Phalacrocoracidae. Little Cormorants are opportunistic foragers utilizing the availability of prey to the maximum depending on tidal cycles. This study shows a specific relation between body mass, dive duration and diving efficiency.
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