It is widely distributed across the Indian Subcontinent and extends east to Java, where it is sometimes called the Javanese cormorant.

It forages singly or sometimes in loose groups in lowland freshwater bodies, including small ponds, large lakes, streams and sometimes coastal estuaries.

Like other cormorants, it is often found perched on a waterside rock with its wings spread out after coming out of the water.

The Indian cormorant has a narrower and longer bill which ends in a prominent hook tip, blue iris and a more pointed head profile.

The breeding adult bird has a glistening all black plumage with some white spots and filoplumes on the face.

Towards the west of the Indus River valley, its range can overlap with vagrant pygmy cormorants (Microcarbo pygmaeus), which can be difficult to differentiate in the field and are sometimes even considered conspecific.

[5] It inhabits wetlands, ranging from small village ponds to large lakes, and sometimes tidal estuaries.

[7] Captured fishes are often brought up to the surface to swallow them and during this time other birds including other little cormorants, painted storks, gulls and egrets may attempt to steal them.

Males display at the nest site by fluttering their wings while holding their head back and bill raised.

[10][11] Both parents take part in building the nest, which is a platform of sticks placed on trees and sometimes even on coconut palms.