Animals Birds

White-breasted Cormorant

SCIENTIFIC NAME:

Phalacrocorax carbo

PROFILE:

The white-breasted, or great, cormorant is a large, dark diving bird with a long neck, large head, and an extremely sharp, hooked bill. The bird dives beneath the water’s surface where it uses its broad tail as a rudder and its strong thigh muscles and webbed feet for propulsion. Most prey is brought to the surface before swallowing.

TYPE OF ANIMAL:

bird, pelecaniformes (pelicans and their relatives)

NATIVE TO:

Africa, Europe, North America

IUCN CONSERVATION STATUS:

least concern; however, listed as endangered in some states throughout its range

DIET:

piscivore (fish eater)

LIFESPAN:

wild - up to 23+ years

SOCIAL STATUS:

social; colonies