Order: Suliformes
Family: Phalacrocoracidae
Species: Phalacrocorax carbo (The great cormorant)
Distribution: Coasts around Great Britain and rest of Europe, Africa, Asia, eastern North America & Australia; often seen inland around lakes and rivers.
Habitat: Mainly marine but regularly seen on inland waters in many areas, even when breeding.
Description: Large, fairly long-necked bird, browny-black above, bluish-black below. White patch on chin & sides of face. White thigh patch in breeding season. Immature bird is brownish with paler underparts.
Size: About 90cm in length.
Food: Mainly fish, some molluscs & crustaceans.