Cormorant  (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Description

This large water bird has a long neck, giving it something of a primitive, reptilian appearance (5). Adults are black with a bluish or green sheen. At the base of the bill is an area of bare, yellow skin surrounded by white (2). During the breeding season there is a white patch on the thigh, and throughout the year a variable amount of white occurs on the crown and back of the neck (2). Juveniles are dark brown and have a white area on the underparts (2). A variety of deep vocalisations are produced in colonies (2). The name cormorant is derived from the Latin 'corvus marinus', which means 'sea crow' (6).

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