It is almost entirely black in plumage, apart from a white and yellow chin and a small white patch on each thigh (absent in winter). The bill is grey and the legs and feet are black. Young birds resemble the adults but are more dusky-brown.
Not Threatened.
It is almost entirely black in plumage, apart from a white and yellow chin and a small white patch on each thigh (absent in winter). The bill is grey and the legs and feet are black. Young birds resemble the adults but are more dusky-brown.
Taxonomy:
- Pelecanus Carbo Linnaeus, 1758, Europe. May form superspecies with P. capillatus. Race lucidus often considered separate species. Race novaehollandiae may be good species; alternatively replaced by further races carboides (Australia) and steadi (New Zealand area). Race hanedae may be better considered synonymous with sinensis. Six subspecies normally recognized. (source: Handbook of the Birds of World)
Subspecies and Distribution:
- * carbo (Linnaeus, 1758) - E Canada through Greenland and Iceland to Norway and British Is. * sinensis (Blumenbach, 1798) - C & S Europe E to India and China. * hanedae Nagamichi Kuroda, 1925 - Japan. * maroccanus Hartert, 1906 - NW Africa. * lucidus (Lichtenstein, 1823) - coastal W & S Africa, inland E Africa. * novaehollandiae Stephens, 1826 - Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, Chatham Is.
In spite of its preference for extensive areas of permanent freshwater, the Great Cormorant is not confined to these and is often observed on coastal inlets and estuaries.
Like other cormorants, the Great Cormorant feeds mainly on fish, supplemented in freshwater by crustaceans, various aquatic insects and frogs. The Great Cormorant is an excellent swimmer and captures its food in shallow underwater dives, normally lasting up to one minute. Underwater, it swims and pursues prey using its feet but not its wings. Outside of the breeding season small groups are formed although birds are often seen fishing alone.
Breeding can occur at any time depending on food supply. Both sexes build the nest, which is a large structure of sticks placed in a low tree or on the ground. Both parents also incubate the eggs and care for the young.