Measurements
Both Sexes
- Length
- 33.1–35.4 in
84–90 cm - Wingspan
- 51.2–63 in
130–160 cm - Weight
- 91.7–130.5 oz
2600–3700 g
Other Names
- European Cormorant, Cormorant (British English)
- Grand Cormoran (French)
- Cormorán Grande (Spanish)
Cool Facts
- The Great Cormorant feeds principally on bottom-living fish of many kinds that it catches by surface-diving to depths of 35 meters (115 feet), although usually it dives less than 10 meters (33 feet).
- The scientific name of the Great Cormorant, Phalacrocorax is from the Greek "bald-headed raven," and carbo is Latin for "charcoal" (black).
Habitat
Shore-line
Breeds along rocky maritime coasts, nesting on cliff ledges or rocky islands free of predators, and feeding in sheltered inshore waters. Winters along coast.
Food
Fish
Fish.
Nesting
Nesting Facts
- Clutch Size
- 1–7 eggs
- Egg Description
- Pale bluish green with white chalky covering.
- Condition at Hatching
- Naked and helpless, with black skin.
Nest Description
On rocks, nest is a mound or heap of seaweed and sticks; in trees, nest is a solid stick structure lined with grasses and feathers. Nests colonially, often with Double-crested Cormorants and gulls.
Nest Placement
Cliff
Behavior
Surface Dive
Dives from the surface of the water and chases prey underwater. Grabs fish in bill, without spearing it.
Conservation
Least Concern
Populations greatly reduced in 19th century, probably from direct persecution; increased since early 20th century. Numbers in northwestern Atlantic not changing rapidly at present.
Credits
- Hatch, J. J., K. M. Brown, G. G. Hogan, and R. D. Morris. 2000. Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo). In The Birds of North America, No. 553 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.