Cormorants- Hebridean Birds - Western Isles Birds - Birdlife and Bird Sightings in the Hebrides

Cormorants - Hebridean Birds - Western Isles Birds - Birdlife and Bird Sightings in the Hebrides
For a water bird it is surprising how little time the cormorants actually spend in the water. You can see these prehistoric looking birds all around the western isles coasts and lochs.

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Cormorants - Western Isles Birds

Juvenile Cormorant - Stornoway Sept 2010

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Cormorant - Stornoway - Western Isles Bird Sightings

cormorant at rodel isle of harris Apr 2009

Cormorant
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Cormorant
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Cormorant
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This juvenile Cormorant is showing its yellowish patch at the base of the bill which is greyish and a flattish crown.

This cormorant was spotted at Rodel - Isle of Harris. The cormorant is a large conspicuous water bird. With its long neck it almost looks reptilian - Apr 10 2009

A large dark-coloured seabird with a long hook-tipped bill, the cormorant has a dazed expression with a scaly look and long neck. In fact, it's almost primeval in appearance.

cormorant in the rain spotted 10 April off the main road from Stornoway to Tarbert

Cormorant - Isle of Harris - May 2009
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Cormorant
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Cormorant
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This conspicuous bird was stretching its wings to dry them Despite spending much time in the water, they do not possess the waterproofing oil of other seabirds and so must spend much time drying their wings.

We saw this cormorant whilst driving down the main road from Stornoway to Tarbert - the rain wasn't bothering the bird at all . With its long neck it almost looks reptilian - Apr 10 2009

The cormorant stands at nearly one metre and has a reputation for being greedy fishers, stealing fish. The cormorant nests in colonies on cliff tops and beside rivers and lakes, sometimes even in trees.

Differences between shag and cormorant - How to Tell a Cormorant from a Shag
As I am a novice I find that it can be difficult sometimes to ascertain whether the bird I am looking at actually a shag or a cormorant. I have recently gleaned the following info from. persons with more experience than myself.

Patch at Base of Bill
Cormorants have a yellowish patch at the base of the bill which is greyish. Shags have a washed out dull yellowish bill. Cormorants have heavier bills

Head Shape
Another pointer is the head shape although this can vary of course in what the bird is doing. Shags have a peaked crown compared to flat one of Cormorant

Crest
Shags produce distinctive shaggy crests on their heads during breeding season, while cormorants do not.

Size
Shags generally are smaller than cormorants, with narrower beaks and leaner bodies

Flight
The shags normal flight is low, close to sea, while the Cormorant often flies high..

Bird Overview -Cormorants
Family	Cormorants and Shags	Latin name	Phalacrocorax carbo
Population	Common	Similar Species	Shag
Description	A large blackish bird with long neck and bill. Swims low in water. Often seen standing on rocks and posts with outstretched wings.In full breeding dress, these birds are actually very handsome, black glazed blue and bronze with a white throat, flashed in courtship display. A few white plumes adorn the loosely crested nape formed of elongated feathers (the Continental race of cormorants have extensive white on the head. These birds are almost primeval in appearance.
Size	Goose size ( 90cm ) - Wingspan 130 - 160cm. The cormorant, at nearly one metre, also stands taller than the shag
Habitat	The cormorants can be found on coasts and estuaries, and also inland lakes and rivers. Coastal birds breed on cliffs, while inland colonies nest in waterside trees.
Food	Fish - prefers to eat less valuable eels and flat fish.
Voice	Guttural Croaking when at the nest and roost
Breeding	The cormorant uses its large webbed feet for incubation, the eggs being carefully placed on top of the feet such so that they are warmed between the feet and the body. The young are born blind and naked and look very reptilian at this stage. There are 3 - 4 eggs which are chalky white. Chicks hatch at intervals and at first are fed on regurgitated liquid. Later they take solid food from their parents throats.
Misc. Info	No Waterproofing Despite spending much time in the water, they do not possess the waterproofing oil of other seabirds and so must spend much time drying their wings. Cormorant Feathers - Barbs Cormorant feathers have modified barbs which allow air to escape and water to penetrate the plumage. This means that they have efficient underwater swimming. however it does also mean that the birds become waterlogged and the cormorant has to "dry" its plumage in its heraldic stance.

Should you have any queries or comments in connection with the information I have given in relation to the birds ( all comments or assistance welcome as I am only a novice bird spotter) - please email chris@gcwweb.com

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