Cormorant - Overview

Order: Suliformes

Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Species: Phalacrocorax carbo (The great cormorant)

Distribution: Coasts around Great Britain and rest of Europe, Africa, Asia, eastern North America & Australia; often seen inland around lakes and rivers.

Habitat: Mainly marine but regularly seen on inland waters in many areas, even when breeding.

Description: Large, fairly long-necked bird, browny-black above, bluish-black below. White patch on chin & sides of face. White thigh patch in breeding season. Immature bird is brownish with paler underparts.

Size: About 90cm in length.

Food: Mainly fish, some molluscs & crustaceans.