It’s not often you see a cormorant this close in London. It must be the warm weather ☀️ ☀️ 🐦 🌴 🍃

Cormorants are large, aquatic birds commonly found across the UK, particularly in coastal areas, lakes, and rivers. Known for their distinctive appearance, cormorants have a sleek, dark body, long neck, and a characteristic hooked bill. Their plumage is predominantly black, often with a greenish or bronze sheen, and during the breeding season, adults develop white patches on their thighs and head.

These birds are expert divers, primarily feeding on fish which they catch underwater. Cormorants can often be seen perched with their wings spread wide, drying their feathers as they lack the oil gland that most other waterfowl have for waterproofing. This behavior is one of their most recognizable traits.

In the UK, there are two main species of cormorants: the Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) and the European Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis). The Great Cormorant is more widespread and can be found in both inland and coastal regions, while the Shag is generally restricted to the coastline and is smaller with a more slender bill.

Cormorants have a complex relationship with humans, particularly fishermen, as they are often perceived as competitors due to their fish-eating habits. Despite this, they are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Conservation efforts have ensured stable populations, although local conflicts occasionally arise.

In summary, cormorants are an integral part of the UK's avian biodiversity, recognized for their unique behaviors and adaptability to various aquatic environments.



Here is a great book to learn about British birds. Tristan loves it and takes it everywhere he goes
RSPB Pocket Guide to British Birds : https://amzn.to/3VYT35x






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