Great cormoran
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GREAT CORMORAN |
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Scientific name: Phalacrocorax carbo |
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Taxonomy: PHYLUM: Chordata |
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Distribution: |
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Main characteristics:
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Conservation status:
Least concern (UICN) |
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SIZE: Length 77-94 cm; Wingspan 121-149 cm. IDENTIFICATION: Great and thick neck. Cuneiform and sharp head (although it can slim in some juveniles). The flight is similar to a goose’s flight (size, similar wingbeats, straight neck, it can flight at certain height, even above the land and always in formation), but it can be recognised by its less deep wingbeats, a longer and straight tail and the slightly bent neck. The solitary individuals fly at sea level. It swims with the bill pointing upwards. NESTING: It nests on protruding rocks on coastal cliffs, on marine shores or on trees close to lake or sea shores, sometimes even on reed grass or on the floor. It sleeps in sandbanks, rocks, on fishing nets sticks, etc. usually in big an dense groups. The nest is made of reed grass and sprigs. ADULT: Black coloration with blue lustre and green shine. Naked skin at the base of the yellow colored mandible, surrounded by a white patch. The white patch on the thigh fades at the beginning of the breeding period (it usually has completely disappeared in june). The crown and the upper section of the neck have white feathers in variable proportion. Immature or old individuals have more white feathers. Less shiny in winter, and white areas on chicks and throat are dulled and less delimited. JUVENILE: Dark brown on the dorsal side, in the ventral side, the throat, breast and belly are white coloured in variable proportions. The first yearlings might seem really white on the ventral side, or have a spotted breast and belly, contrasting with the pure white and the dark stripes. INMATURE: Gradually darker along the first two years until it acquires the adult plumage. |
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