Prakruti Parichay
PhalacrocoracidaePhalacrocorax

Great Cormorant

Phalacrocorax carbo

80–100 cmVery Large
Beak
—
Feet
—
Crest
No crest

Widespread resident; unrecorded in parts of NW and NE subcontinent and Western Ghats. I D Larger and bulkier than Indian, with thicker neck, larger and more angular head, and stouter bill. Adult breeding glossy black, with dark gular skin. red spot at base of bill, white cheeks and throat, extensive white plumes covering much of head, and white thigh patch. Non-breeding lacks white ead plumes and thigh patch. Base of bill and gular skin are yellow, and white cheeks and throat patch are more extensive than Indian. Immature similar but browner with underparts dark or extensively whitish or pale buff. Flies and swims like a typical cormorant. see Little. Usually found singly or in small groups, although sometimes joins fishing flocks of other cormorants. Gathers in large numbers to breed, and often roosts communally in winter. Coastal waters, saltpens, reservoirs, lakes, and large inland lakes and rivers.

Colour

WhiteBlackRed
Average size
90 cm
Habitat
Coastal waters, saltpens, reservoirs, lakes, and large inland lakes and rivers.
Behaviour
Widespread resident, unrecorded in parts of NW and NE subcontinent and Western Ghats., ead plumes and thigh patch. Base of bill and gular skin are yellow, and white cheeks and throat patch are more extensive than Indian. Immature similar but browner with underparts dark or extensively whitish or pale buff. Flies and swims like a typical cormorant. see Little. Usually found singly or in small groups, although sometimes joins fishing flocks of other cormorants. Gathers in large numbers to breed, and often roosts communally in winter.

About this bird

Widespread resident; unrecorded in parts of NW and NE subcontinent and Western Ghats. I D Larger and bulkier than Indian, with thicker neck, larger and more angular head, and stouter bill. Adult breeding glossy black, with dark gular skin. red spot at base of bill, white cheeks and throat, extensive white plumes covering much of head, and white thigh patch. Non-breeding lacks white ead plumes and thigh patch. Base of bill and gular skin are yellow, and white cheeks and throat patch are more extensive than Indian. Immature similar but browner with underparts dark or extensively whitish or pale buff. Flies and swims like a typical cormorant. see Little. Usually found singly or in small groups, although sometimes joins fishing flocks of other cormorants. Gathers in large numbers to breed, and often roosts communally in winter. Coastal waters, saltpens, reservoirs, lakes, and large inland lakes and rivers.

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Great Cormorant is bigger than Cheer Pheasant but smaller than Darter.

This bird

Great Cormorant

Phalacrocorax carbo

80–100 cm