Great Cormorant

Lifespan: The lifespan of oldest known cormorant in Europe (Denmark) is 27 years for the male and 25 years for the female. However, most cormorants do not live longer than 15 years.

Breeding: In Europe, coastal colonies generally consist of 10 to 500 pairs, and the largest ones reach as many as 1,400 pairs. Cormorants arrive in late February or in March, the arrival time depending on local temperature and weather conditions. Nest sites are occupied only when no snow and ice is remaining. The breeding period begins after mating and lasts throughout the incubation and hatching of the fledglings.

Both parents participate in the breeding. The activities take place during the day: the female usually stays at the nest, while the male collects building material both from land and sea, or from unoccupied nests. He hands over the material to the female, who builds the nest. The nest continues to be filled with building material until the young hatch out, and sometimes even further on.

Appearance: A large black bird with a long and thick neck, a large head and a powerful beak. During breeding, adults are black with a greenish and bluish sheen. The black feathers on the upper body create a dark mottling. Silvery-white spots are visible on the sides of the head and neck, and a white spot on the sides next to the leg. The base of the beak is surrounded by a yellow patch of bare skin, the throat is white, and the eyes are greenish-blue. After the breeding season, the birds turn completely black, with only the throat remaining whitish.