Cormorant

Name: Cormorant

Scientific name: Phalacrocorax carbo

Category: Birds

Nature Stars: 30

What are nature stars?

About: A large, dark waterbird. Feeds on fish, which it catches with its long, hook-tipped bill while swimming underwater. Nests on low cliffs around the coasts and in colonies in trees on lakes and gravel pits inland. Sometimes stands with its wings held out to dry off their feathers, as they're not waterproof.

How to identify: Adults are large, shiny black birds with a white patch on the thigh during the summer. Young birds are dark brown above and white below.

Where: Found around the coasts and on lakes, reservoirs and rivers inland.

Natural Superpowers

• Predator: 70
• Agility: 50
• Rarity: 40
• Cute factor: 20
• Traveller: 70

Fantastic fact: In China, tame cormorants are traditionally used by fishermen to help catch fish.

Photograph credit: Phil Mclean