The great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)

The great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) – very common member of the cormorant’s family. It is widespread in Europe, Asia, Africa and on the Atlantic Ocean. 

Phalacrocorax carbo is a large black bird and has different sizes depending on the species. It weighs 1.5 to 5.3 kg. It reaches a length of 70-102 cm, with a wingspan of 121-160 cm. It has a long tail and a yellow mark around the beak. 

Adult cormorants have white spots on their knees during the breeding season. They are often quiet but make different sounds in their breeding colonies. It nests on shores, settles on rocks or trees and spends most of its life on land. It lays 3-4 eggs in a nest of algae or twigs. 

Although it can dive to great depths, the great cormorant is most commonly found in shallow waters. A very rare variation of the great cormorant is caused by albinism . 

The cormorant suffers from poor eyesight and/or hearing; thus, it rarely manages to survive in the wild.