Great cormorant
These birds (Phalacrocorax carbo) are related to gannets and pelicans, and have shiny green feathers with white marks on the head, neck and sides.
Where to find them?
You can find the great cormorants in the central lake of Oceanogràfic.
Where do they live?
As seabirds, they are usually observed on the coast, although it is increasingly common to observe them inland in lakes and estuaries.
What are they like?
They are excellent fishers and divers, and feed on all types of fish.
They can remain underwater for one minute, diving to depths of 10 metres. When they swim, they keep two thirds of their body submerged, and sometimes only their head and neck appear above the water.
As the feathers of great cormorants are not fully waterproof, once they leave the water after having fished, they must spread their wings for them to dry. This behaviour is very easy to observe.
How do they reproduce?
They lay 3 or 4 pale blue eggs which both the father and mother will incubate for 28-31 days. After the eggs hatch, the chicks remain in the nest for 50 days, and know how to fly perfectly at 60 days.
Did you know...?
The name of the great cormorant comes from the combination of the Latin words “corvus” and “marinus”, meaning “sea raven”.