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Cormorants are aquatic birds with a unique physical appearance and behavior. They belong to the family Phalacrocoracidae, consisting of approximately 40 species of seabirds worldwide. Cormorants have long necks, curved bills, and webbed feet, which make them perfectly adapted to underwater swimming and diving for food.

Characteristics

Cormorants are medium to large-sized birds, ranging from 18 to 40 inches in length and weighing up to 11 pounds. They have dark-colored feathers, ranging from black to brown, and are often seen perched on rocks or tree branches with their wings spread out to dry. Cormorants have a unique feature of lacking waterproof feathers, which allows them to dive deeper and stay underwater for longer periods compared to other water birds. This physical trait is ideal for catching prey, such as fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.

Behavior

Cormorants are social birds that often gather in large groups called colonies or rookeries during breeding season. They are excellent swimmers and divers, capable of reaching depths of up to 150 feet to catch prey. Cormorants are skilled hunters and use their sharp eyesight to spot fish underwater while swimming. After catching their prey, they bring it to the surface to swallow it whole. After eating, cormorants can often be seen perched on rocks or branches to rest and dry their wings.

Habitat

Cormorants are widely distributed, found in both freshwater and saltwater habitats around the world. They can be found along the coastlines, lakes, rivers, and wetlands. In North America, cormorants are commonly found in the Pacific Northwest, the Great Lakes region, and along the Atlantic coast. During breeding season, they often migrate to breeding sites in large numbers and build nests in trees, cliffs, or on the ground.

Cormorants are fascinating birds with unique physical traits and behaviors. They are excellent hunters, divers, and swimmers, making them well adapted to life on the water. Despite their numbers decreasing in some areas due to habitat loss and pollution, cormorants remain an important species in water ecosystems and a joy to watch for bird enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.