Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carbo
Also known as: Cormorant, Black Cormorant, Great Black Cormorant
The Great Cormorant is a widespread, large black waterbird found across Europe, Asia, Africa, and eastern North America. Known for its exceptional diving skills, it feeds mainly on fish, chasing them underwater by paddling with its webbed feet. After diving, it is commonly seen perched with its wings spread wide to dry them, as its feathers are not fully waterproof.
Great Cormorant Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions About the Great Cormorant
The Great Cormorant is partially migratory; northern populations move south for the winter, while southern and coastal populations remain resident year-round.
The Great Cormorant is highly adaptable and lives in coastal environments, estuaries, inland lakes, rivers, and reservoirs across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australasia, and North America.
The Great Cormorant is primarily piscivorous, feeding on a wide variety of fish species caught during deep underwater dives.
The Great Cormorant is listed as Least Concern, with an increasing population trend in many areas, though it is sometimes persecuted due to conflicts with commercial fisheries.
The Great Cormorant is usually colonial.
The Great Cormorant is typically diurnal.
The main threats facing the Great Cormorant include Conflicts with aquaculture and fisheries, Water pollution (heavy metals/oil), and Habitat disturbance.
The Great Cormorant population trend is currently increasing.
Well-known places to look for the Great Cormorant include Farne Islands (UK), Lake IJsselmeer (Netherlands), and Danube Delta (Romania).
Natural predators of the Great Cormorant include Gulls (eggs/chicks), Eagles, and Foxes.
Historically used by traditional fishers in Japan and China (cormorant fishing) to catch fish by tying a snare around the bird's throat.
The Great Cormorant is part of the Phalacrocoracidae family and a Suliformes order.
The Great Cormorant weighs about 2.5 kg, stands around 85 cm tall, reaches about 90 cm in length, and has a wingspan of about 140 cm.
The Great Cormorant can reach speeds of around 55 km/h.
