Little Cormorants are mostly blackish, with greyer scapulars and wings with black feather-edges. In addition, it has a whitish chin and a greyish stubby bill, with a longer upper mandible of which the tip is bent downward.

In flight, the Little Cormorant appears relatively short-necked and small-winged.

Though able to dive to considerable depths, they usually feed in shallow water, taking in a variety of fish.