Scientific Name: Phalacrocorax auritus
Size: Medium-sized cormorant Weight: Approximately 1.5-2.4 kilograms (3.3-5.3 pounds) Lifespan: Up to 16 years
Physical Description:
- Stocky body with long neck and tail
- Black plumage with iridescent green and purple sheen
- Breeding adults: double crests of black or white feathers, yellow-orange facial skin
- Non-breeding adults: lack breeding plumage
Habitat:
- Freshwater and saltwater environments
- Nests in trees, shrubs, or on rocky cliffs
Diet:
- Primarily fish, but also consumes amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals
Behavior:
- Excellent swimmer and diver
- Often social, forming large colonies
- Spreads wings to dry after swimming
Conservation Status: Least Concern, but populations fluctuate.