Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboWhere and when to see them

The great cormorant is a large, dark waterbird with a strong hooked bill, long neck and an angular profile when perched. Adults acquire white thigh patches and pale head feathers in breeding condition. Its wide distribution includes both coastal and inland waters across several continents. Along Norway's coast, it occupies rocky islands and sheltered fishing grounds, often sharing the broader seascape with the smaller, more exclusively marine European shag.

Size

80-100 cm long

Weight

2-3.5 kg

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

Great cormorants pursue fish using powerful foot propulsion, then return to rocks, posts or shorelines to rest. Their characteristic spread-wing posture helps manage wet plumage and heat balance. Colonies can be noisy, with birds bringing seaweed, sticks and other material to bulky nests. Outside breeding they may roost communally, commute in lines or loose formations, and gather where tides or fish movements concentrate profitable feeding opportunities near the coast. Cormorants have less preen oil than other seabirds, necessitating regular drying of their feathers to restore insulation and buoyancy. They are highly social, especially during breeding, forming large, sometimes mixed-species, colonies with other seabirds like gulls and terns.

• All four toes are joined by webbing.
• Breeding adults briefly develop a bright white patch on each thigh.
• The name cormorant derives from words meaning sea raven.
• Some populations breed in trees far from the coast.

Wildlife opportunities depend on the river reach, water levels and species. River-specific viewing months have not been confirmed; general species seasons are not a local sighting forecast.

This adaptable species uses rocky seacoasts, estuaries, fjords, lakes and large rivers. Norwegian coastal birds commonly rest and nest on islands or ledges, while sheltered bays offer feeding areas. Quiet roosting sites are important even where nearby waters experience regular vessel traffic. They are often found close to human activity, sometimes even nesting on manmade structures like abandoned piers or navigation buoys. In Norway, freshwater populations also exist, utilizing large inland lakes and rivers, often at lower densities than coastal groups.

Fish form almost the entire diet, with species and sizes varying among habitats. Coastal birds take a mixture of bottom-associated and open-water fish. Prey is usually brought into a swallowing position headfirst, and larger fish may require considerable handling. Studies indicate a significant portion of their diet consists of species like cod, saithe, and herring, reflecting local availability. They are opportunistic predators, often foraging in relatively shallow waters where prey is easily accessible.

Common name

Great Cormorant

Scientific name

Phalacrocorax carbo

Animal group

Birds

Size

80-100 cm long

Weight

2-3.5 kg

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

Identification

It is bulkier than the European shag, with a heavier bill, pale throat area and, in breeding adults, a conspicuous white thigh patch. Distinguishing characteristics include their large size, thick neck, and often greenish gloss to their black plumage, which can be visible in good light. Juveniles are typically browner with a paler belly, gradually acquiring adult plumage over several years.