Cormorant
Species Information
Ken Billington [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons
Statistics
Scientific name: Phalacrocorax carbo
Length:Â 85-90cm
Wingspan:Â 1.5m
Weight:Â 2-2.5kg
Average lifespan:Â 11 yearsÂ
Conservation status
Common. Classified in the UK as Green under the Birds of Conservation Concern 4: the Red List for Birds (2015).
When to see
January to December
About
The cormorant is a large and easily distinguishable water bird. They feed on fish, which they catch with their long, hook-tipped bills and neck while swimming underwater. Cormorants nest on low cliffs around the coasts, or in colonies in trees on lakes and flooded gravel pits. Cormorants can often be spotted perched on a rock or bank with their wings held out. In this stance, they can dry their feathers off which are not waterproof.
How to identify
Cormorants have a reptilian appearance and look almost primitive with their long necks. The cormorant is a large, shiny black bird, with a white patch on the thigh during the summer breeding season. It is often seen standing with its wings held out to dry. Young birds are dark brown above and white below.
Did you know ?
In parts of the world such as China, a traditional method of catching fish includes the use of tame cormorants. A snare is tired around the bird’s neck to stop it swallowing big fish, but it can still take small ones. In different parts of the world different species of cormorant are used. This activity has now mostly continued as a tourist activity.
How you can help?
Did you know you can help wildlife in your local river ? You can do this in many ways from reporting pollution to SEPA, by not flushing wet wipes down the toilet and even at one of our many conservation volunteer days. Check out our Get Involved page for more information on how you can get involved with your local river.