Markus Varesvuo / Common shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) flying, with the sun in the background, Vardo, Norway, March.

Axel Gomille / Grey heron (Ardea cinerea) squabbling with Little cormorant (Microcarbo / Phalacrocorax niger) Keoladeo national park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India

Andy Trowbridge / Little pied cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos previously known as Phalacrocorax melanoleucus) perched on branch with wings outstretched. Ashley River, Canterbury, New Zealand. July.

Andy Trowbridge / Little pied cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos) perched on branch. Ashley River, Canterbury, New Zealand. July.

Jiri Lochman / Little pied cormorant (Phalacrocorax melanoleucos), Cape Range National Park, Ningaloo Coast UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, Western Australia, Australia.

Robin Chittenden / Little cormorant (Phalacrocorax niger) near water, Sri Lanka.

Roger Powell / Little pied cormorant (Phalacrocorax melanoleucos) sitting on marine post and preening. Werribee Sewerage Farm, Werribee, Victoria, Australia

David Pattyn / Darters (Anhinga melanogaster) and Little cormorants (Phalacrocorax niger) sitting on a dead tree in a lake, Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan, India

David Pattyn / Darters (Anhinga melanogaster) and Little cormorants (Phalacrocorax niger) sitting on a dead tree in a lake, Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan, India

David Pattyn / Darters (Anhinga melanogaster) and Little cormorants (Phalacrocorax niger) sitting on a dead tree in a lake, Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan, India

Brent Stephenson / Little pied cormorant (Phalacrocorax melanoleucos) drying with wings outstretched, perching on branch, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, November.

Brent Stephenson / Little pied cormorant (Phalacrocorax melanoleucos) shaking water from its plumage, sitting on a branch close to the surface of the water, Tamatea, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, November.