Cormorant
ExploreBirds
Cormorant
Phalacrocorax
Cormorants are sleek black birds that dive underwater to catch fish. They have long necks and sharp beaks, and they can swim very fast!
Habitat: Coastal areas
Appearance
The Cormorant is a large, dark-feathered water bird with a long, slender neck and a distinctive hooked bill. Its plumage is often glossy black or dark bronze. They stand upright on land, giving them a unique, almost prehistoric silhouette, making them easy to spot.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderSuliformesFamilyPhalacrocoracidaeGenusPhalacrocorax
Category
BirdsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Ancient Egyptians sometimes trained cormorants to help them catch fish!
Cormorants have a special gland to drink saltwater and get rid of the salt!
They often return to the same nesting spots year after year, sometimes for decades!
Unlike most waterbirds, their feathers aren't fully waterproof, helping them dive!
Special abilities
Ability
Subaquatic Sprint
Cormorant can dive deep and swiftly pursue fish because it has powerful, webbed feet that help them propel underwater.
Ability
Sun-Soaked Drying
Cormorant has less oil on its feathers, helping them sink easily for diving, but needs to dry its wings afterwards in the sun.
Ability
Keen Underwater Sight
Cormorant has excellent underwater vision because its eyes are adapted to see clearly in water, helping them spot hidden prey.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 70-100 cm
- Wingspan
- 130-160 cm
- Weight
- 1.5-5.3 kg
- Lifespan
- 15-20 years
- Top Speed
- 80 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 3-5
- Incubation
- 28-31 days
- Migration Distance
- 2500 km
Diet & Feeding
Cormorants are expert underwater hunters, mainly eating fish that they chase and catch.
Primary Foods
- fish
- eels
- crabs
- shrimp
- squid
Foraging Method
- Pursuit
Ecological connections
eats
Zander
Sander lucioperca
A common prey fish in freshwater habitats.
eats
European Eel
Anguilla anguilla
An important food source, especially for larger cormorants.
eaten by
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Large raptors sometimes prey on cormorant chicks or adults.
eats
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatus
Gulls often steal eggs or chicks from cormorant colonies.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Feathered
Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.
Webbed Feet
Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Piscivorous
Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish.
Ancient Lineage
This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Enjoy watching cormorants from a safe distance and never try to touch or disturb them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Cormorant?
70-100 cm
What is Cormorant's wingspan?
130-160 cm
How much does Cormorant weigh?
1.5-5.3 kg
How long does Cormorant live?
15-20 years
How fast can Cormorant move?
80 km/h
What does Cormorant eat?
Cormorants are expert underwater hunters, mainly eating fish that they chase and catch.
Where is Cormorant usually found?
Coastal areas
How does Cormorant hunt?
Pursuit
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
