What is the Great Cormorant?
A Hyderabad-born Canadian birder spotted a rare Great Cormorant at Ameenpur Lake near BHEL recently.
- Great Cormorant is a large waterbird and a member of the cormorant family of seabirds.
- Scientific Name: Phalacrocorax carbo
- They are probably the most widespread member of the cormorant family with a range that includes North America, Europe, Africa, China, India, Southeast Asia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and
- Well adapted to aquatic environments, they live in the shallow waters along marine shorelines but may inhabit lakes and rivers.
- It is the largest member of the cormorant family.
- Males are typically larger and heavier than females.
- They have dark, glossy plumage, very long necks, long, hooked bills and webbed feet.
- Their powerful bills are greyish with white patches around its base.
- They employ their powerful webbed feet for efficient swimming and diving to catch a variety of prey, including fish, crabs, and, in some areas, frogs or ducklings.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Least Concern
