India, March 1 -- A vivid example of identification complexities that bedevil allied avian species is the one presented by two renowned fish hunters, the great cormorant (GC) and the Indian cormorant (IC). Though not a common species of the greater Chandigarh region, the IC is often listed wrongly in regional birding forums, thereby inflating its actual presence.

Prof Gurpartap Singh, who enjoys a reputation for painstaking efforts and rigorous analysis with respect to species identification, photographed two genuine specimens of the IC at Mote Majra (Banur) wetland last week. The duo were definitely not great imposters! Singh also checked the records of alleged ICs from the region uploaded by birders on social media and the popular citi...