Some authors call this the "Indian Shag." Adult above, immature below. This photo shows the long thin bill which helps distinguish this locally distributed freshwater species from other cormorants. Black blotches on whitish flanks are typical of immatures. Non-breeding adults are similar, but have dark bellies. This is the only living species of cormorant that was not sampled by Kennedy and Spencer in their 2014 molecular study. Its relationships to other cormorants remains speculative. Digiscoped with Panasonic DMC-LX5 | Nikon FieldScope III | 30XWA | hand-held (no adapter)
References:
Ali, S & SD Ripley (1987). Compact Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan. Edition 2. Oxford University Press.
Kennedy, M & Spencer HG (2014) Classification of the cormorants of the world. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 79:249-257. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2014.06.020.
Rasmussen, P.C. & Anderton, J.C. (2005) Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide. Vols. 1 and 2. Smithsonian Institution & Lynx Edicions, Washington, D.C. & Barcelona.