Cormorant is an aquatic bird species also known as shags and belongs to the family Phalacrocoracidae. Cormorants are medium to large size birds and as of now, 40 species of birds are known to humans. It can weigh between 0.77 to 11.02 pounds and have a wingspan varying between 18 to 39 inches. Talking about their appearance, they have dark-colored feathers and a long, thin, hooked bill. The few are webbed in Sharpe which helps them dive from the surface of the water to catch their prey, which includes a diet of fish. Cormorant prefers to thrive in the coastal regions and build their nest in trees, on cliffs, on the shore, or on islets. There is no major distinction between shag and cormorant, different names have been given to two species discovered in Britain. Here is the list of interesting Cormorant facts,
Also Read: 10 Interesting Weasel Facts
Cormorant Facts
- The spotted shag of New Zealand is an exception since it has colorful feathers. The cormorant species of Cormorant seen in the southern hemisphere have black and white feathers.
- There are many species of cormorant or shag that have colored skin on their face such as red, yellow, orange, and even bright blue. The colors will become brighter when the mating season approaches.
- There are a total of four toes on their feet that are in webbed shape to help them dive from the surface of the water to catch their prey.
- The dietary habits are carnivorous in nature and mostly feed on fish, however, they are also seen eating small eels, and water snakes when available.
- After fishing is done, Cormorants are known to hold their wings out on the shore in the sun. The feathers of Cormorants are believed to be waterproof by their preen gland secretions. There are some researchers who believe that their feathers are permeable and there are some who believe that water is unable to touch the skin.
- Cormorant produces one egg each year and they are generally a chalky blue color. The young ones are fed via regurgitation. There are few cormorant species that make use of blue heron nests to have their young.
- Cormorant birds build nests on trees in colonies and sometimes they poop so much that trees below are killed or seriously damaged. Both mother and father are responsible for keeping the egg warm and once it is born, born h parents regurgitate fish for the young to eat.
- Cormorants are very talented in catching fish so, in Asian countries, Cormorants are trained by people to catch fish where out of seven fish they catch they are given one to eat. The unique part is that it regurgitates the indigestible bones and parts.
- The population of bird species is harmed by environmental pollution such as oil.
- There are many known species of Cormorant birds such as the double-breasted cormorant, little black cormorant, Indian cormorant, European shag, rock shag, Bounty shag, Japanese cormorant, Auckland shag, Cape cormorant, crowned cormorant, Crozet shag, and south Georgia shag.
These are interesting Cormorant facts. Kindly share and do post your comments.