Scientific name: Phalacrocorax carbo (Linnaeus, 1758)
Bird group: Gannets and Cormorants
Field characters. 80-100 cm. A large, blackish waterbird with white chin and cheeks; in breeding plumage, white thigh-patch and variable hoary or white cast to head and neck due to scattered white hair-like plumes. May resemble Shag in winter plumage, but larger, with different head shape, larger yellow bare parts around eye, and heavier bill. Swims low with neck erect and bill inclined upwards. When perched, birds stand often in characteristic erect attitude with wings half spread out. Upperparts of juvenile brownish, underparts dull white. Immatures gradually darker with each moult.
Voice. When breeding a deep, guttural "karrk".
Distribution. Locally common breeding bird, sometimes in large colonies; regularly shifts colonies due to degrading of nesting trees.
Habitat. Aquatic, in both fresh and salt waters: open and sheltered shallow seas, lakes, reservoirs, lagoons, swamps, deltas and estuaries. Builds nest in trees, on cliff ledges, or in reedbeds.
Food. Exclusively fish, caught during day-time by surface dives (depths 1-9 m). Prey usually brought to surface before swallowing. May travel up to 50 km to a favoured fishing area.
Eggs. Initially without markings, becoming brown during incubation. Ground colour pale blue/greenish, covered with white chalk layer. Shape subelliptical/long subelliptical . Size 66 x 41 mm (58-74 x 38-43), weight 58 g. Much like eggs of other cormorants, but bigger.