Cormorant
Buckpool and Fens Pool Local Nature Reserve
What3Words
///thin.spill.bravo
The cormorant is a family of medium-to-large aquatic birds found worldwide that are expert fishers known for their characteristic posture of standing with wings outstretched to dry.
Appearance:
Cormorants are generally large, dark-plumaged birds with a long, thick, and flexible neck, giving them a somewhat "prehistoric" or "reptilian" appearance. They have a long, thin bill that ends in a sharp hook, perfectly suited for catching fish. Most species have webbed feet with all four toes joined.
Size:
Size varies by species, but the Great Cormorant, a widespread species, typically measures 80-100 cm (31-39 in) in length with a wingspan of 130-160 cm (51-63 in).
Habitat and Distribution: They are highly adaptable and found in a wide variety of aquatic environments, including ocean coasts, estuaries, large rivers, and freshwater lakes and reservoirs across the world, except for the central Pacific islands.
Diet and Hunting: Cormorants are carnivorous, feeding primarily on fish, but also amphibians, crustaceans, and eels. They hunt by diving from the water's surface and propelling themselves underwater using their powerful webbed feet. They can dive to impressive depths, sometimes up to 45 meters (150 feet), and use their hooked bills to seize prey.
Unique Behaviors and Facts
Wing-Drying Posture:
One of the most recognizable cormorant behaviors is perching with their wings spread wide in the sun. This is because their feathers are not fully waterproof (which helps them reduce buoyancy for diving more efficiently), so they need to dry them afterwards.
Cormorant
Buckpool and Fens Pool Local Nature Reserve
What3Words
///thin.spill.bravo
The cormorant is a family of medium-to-large aquatic birds found worldwide that are expert fishers known for their characteristic posture of standing with wings outstretched to dry.
Appearance:
Cormorants are generally large, dark-plumaged birds with a long, thick, and flexible neck, giving them a somewhat "prehistoric" or "reptilian" appearance. They have a long, thin bill that ends in a sharp hook, perfectly suited for catching fish. Most species have webbed feet with all four toes joined.
Size:
Size varies by species, but the Great Cormorant, a widespread species, typically measures 80-100 cm (31-39 in) in length with a wingspan of 130-160 cm (51-63 in).
Habitat and Distribution: They are highly adaptable and found in a wide variety of aquatic environments, including ocean coasts, estuaries, large rivers, and freshwater lakes and reservoirs across the world, except for the central Pacific islands.
Diet and Hunting: Cormorants are carnivorous, feeding primarily on fish, but also amphibians, crustaceans, and eels. They hunt by diving from the water's surface and propelling themselves underwater using their powerful webbed feet. They can dive to impressive depths, sometimes up to 45 meters (150 feet), and use their hooked bills to seize prey.
Unique Behaviors and Facts
Wing-Drying Posture:
One of the most recognizable cormorant behaviors is perching with their wings spread wide in the sun. This is because their feathers are not fully waterproof (which helps them reduce buoyancy for diving more efficiently), so they need to dry them afterwards.