Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) bird information
Cormorant is a common, goose-like waterbird, occurring on coasts and less frequently on inland waters; often seen perched with wings outstretched. Adult glossy green-black with a white face and round white flank patch in summer. Immature browner, with pale breast and belly. Swims low in the water with uptilted head and heavy, yellow bill. Dives easily; often flies in ‘V’ formation like geese.
Status: found on all coasts, breeding mainly in north and west; also inland in lowland England and north and central Ireland.
Similar Species: Shag is considerably smaller.
Cormorant Bird Facts
| Type | goose-like |
| Size | 84 – 89 cm (33 – 38 in) |
| Habitat | sea, estuaries, freshwater, island, trees |
| Behavior | swims, dives, perches on rocks and buoys, takes off and lands on water and ground. |
| Flocking | colonial; small flocks |
| Flight | laboured; glides; direct |
| Voice | croaks and grunts on breeding grounds |
Bird Identification
| Adult | |
| Crown | black |
| Upperparts | black |
| Rump | black |
| Tail | black; medium length and rounded |
| Throat | white |
| Breast | black |
| Belly | black |
| Legs | black; short |
| Juvenile | brown above, buff below |
Cormorant Bird’s Breeding
| Nest | mound of Seawood on cliff or tree |
| Eggs | 3 – 4; pale blue |
| Incubation | 28 – 29 days |
| Young | helpless; naked |
| Fledging | 50 – 60 days |
| Broods | 1; April-June |
| Food | fish |
| Population | 8000 pairs; 20,000+ winter |