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Great Cormorant

Phalacrocorax carbo

Least Concern

Longueur

90,0 cm

Envergure

145,0 cm

Poids

2600,0 g

Famille

Phalacrocoracidae

Ordre

Suliformes

À propos

The great cormorant is one of the most widespread seabirds in the world. Unlike most waterbirds, cormorants lack fully waterproof plumage, leading to the iconic pose of standing with wings spread open to dry. In Asia, cormorants have been used by fishermen to catch fish for over a thousand years.

Physical Description

Measurement	Value	Imperial
Body Length	90,0 cm	35.4 in
Envergure	145,0 cm	57.1 in
Poids	2600,0 g	91.71 oz

Identification

Plumage

All black with a bronze-green gloss. White throat patch and white thigh patches in breeding season. Yellow-orange face patch around the bill base.

Bec

Long, hooked, dark bill with a yellow gape

Habitat & Range

Coasts, estuaries, lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. Nests in colonies in trees, on cliffs, or on the ground.

🌿 Wetland 🏖️ Coastal

Répartition géographique

Very wide range across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australasia. One of the most widespread cormorant species.

Diet & Feeding

Fish caught by diving from the surface. Pursues prey underwater using powerful feet for propulsion. Can dive to over 10 meters.

Statut de conservation

Least Concern

IUCN Red List

Comportement et reproduction

Nidification

Nest type: PL,M. Incubation: 27-38 days. Fledging: 45-55 days.

Taille de la couvée

1-7

Son

Chant

Deep, guttural grunts and 'karrr' calls at colonies. Bill-clicking and hissing in threat displays. Silent at sea. Colonial noise can be deafening during the breeding season.

Taxonomie

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Ordre	Suliformes (Boobies & Cormorants)
Famille	Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants & Shags)
Genus	Phalacrocorax
Espèces	Phalacrocorax carbo

Names in Other Languages

Language	Name
German	Kormoran
Spanish	Cormorán Grande

Distribution

Great Cormorant has been recorded in 9 countries.

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Présent Not recorded

countries highlighted

🇮🇱 Israel 🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇱🇻 Latvia 🇱🇹 Lithuania 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇨🇭 Switzerland 🇺🇸 United States

External Databases

Foire aux questions

What does the Great Cormorant eat?

Fish caught by diving from the surface. Pursues prey underwater using powerful feet for propulsion. Can dive to over 10 meters.

Where does the Great Cormorant live?

Coasts, estuaries, lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. Nests in colonies in trees, on cliffs, or on the ground.

Is the Great Cormorant endangered?

The Great Cormorant has a conservation status of Least Concern.

How does the Great Cormorant nest?

Nest type: PL,M. Incubation: 27-38 days. Fledging: 45-55 days.

What does the Great Cormorant sound like?

Deep, guttural grunts and 'karrr' calls at colonies. Bill-clicking and hissing in threat displays. Silent at sea. Colonial noise can be deafening during the breeding season.

How big is the Great Cormorant?

The Great Cormorant has a body length of 90.0 cm, wingspan of 145.0 cm, weight of 2600.0 g.

What order and family does the Great Cormorant belong to?

The Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) belongs to the order Suliformes and the family Phalacrocoracidae.