GREAT CORMORANT

The Great Cormorant is a large and impressive bird that graces the Australian landscape with its presence. With glossy black feathers and a stately demeanor, this bird is a sight to behold.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Great Cormorant is its widespread distribution. In Australia, they can be found across the continent, frequenting both freshwater and estuarine environments. They are often seen perched on rocks or branches near rivers, lakes, and coastal areas, from the wet tropics of Queensland to the cooler waters of Tasmania.

Great Cormorants are exceptional swimmers, using their webbed feet to propel themselves underwater. They can dive to impressive depths to catch fish, their primary diet, and have been known to stay submerged for up to a minute.

After a swim, they are often observed with their wings outstretched. Unlike most water birds, their feathers are not completely waterproof, so this behavior is essential for drying their wings, which aids in thermoregulation and ensures they remain buoyant and efficient in flight.

With a wingspan that can reach over a meter and a body length of up to 100 cm., the Great Cormorant is one of the larger members of the cormorant family. This size gives them a dominant presence among Australian waterbirds.

They are quite social, often seen roosting and hunting in groups. During breeding season, they form colonies that can number in the hundreds, creating a bustling community of birds.

Their nests are a large construction of sticks and seaweed, built in trees or on cliffs, often near water. Both parents take part in nest building, incubation of the eggs, and feeding the chicks.

The Great Cormorant has a stable population in Australia and is listed as a species of ‘Least Concern’. However, they are still subject to threats such as habitat destruction and entanglement in fishing gear.

To Indigenous Australians, the Great Cormorant holds cultural significance in various regions, featuring in stories and art, highlighting the bird’s integral role in the ecosystem and in storytelling traditions.

The Great Cormorant is a testament to the resilience and diversity of Australia’s wildlife. By understanding and appreciating these birds, we are reminded of the importance of conserving the natural habitats that sustain them and the interconnectedness of all creatures within the Australian environment.