Stained Little Pied Cormorant

["Greg" <>]

I believe that red stained cormorants and ducks are more common in inland 
areas.  My understanding of the cause is that birds get stained from stained 
water.  I am not sure whether the colour is a natural mineral or from an 
artificial cause.  It may originate from bore water.  Years ago, as a 
National Park Ranger, I was examining the bags of some shooters during the 
duck season at Tullakool Salt Ponds (southern NSW).  I thought that there 
were a number of adult male Chestnut Teal in partial eclipse plumage.  This 
entertained the shooters greatly as they were in fact, stained Grey Teal.  I 
don't know which was redder the stain on the ducks or my face!

Greg Clancy