FAMILY NAME: Phalacrocoracidae SCIENTIFIC NAME: Phalacrocorax sulcirostris SUBSPECIES: none
SIZE: Up to 65cm. (26") tip to tail.
LOCATION: Found over almost the entire continent of Australia, except in the very arid centre and west. Also found in Indonesia and some Pacific Islands.
BREEDING: Clutches from 3 to 4 eggs. Both the male and female build the nest, incubate and feed their young. The nest is made in a tree or on the ground, and consists of a platform of sticks.
GENERAL: Very widespread across Australia, using mostly freshwater inland waterways rather than coastal. Somtimes in large flocks, they will follow the rains. Their diet consists mainly of fish, crustaceans and insects. The plumage is black with a green/black back. The eye is jade green, and they have dark grey bill and legs. Cormorants need to dry their wings by airing them in the sun, as the feathers are not waterproof.
References:
Michael Morecombe. Field Guide to Australian Birds, Complete Compact Edtion.
Ken Simpson - Nicholas Day. The Birds of Australia.
M. Blakers - S. J. J. F. Davies - P. N. Reilly. The Atlas of Australian Birds.
Birds in Backyards. www.birdsinbackyards.net
