IUCN Least Concern (LC)
Pied Cormorant
Phalacrocorax varius
Last updated on 1-Nov 2012
The diet of the Pied Cormorant consists mostly of fish. When foraging, the cormorant swims low on the water, and when it spies a fish, it quickly plunges below the water’s surface. When it pursues the fish, it swims by propelling itself with its large, webbed feet and steering with half-opened wings. Fish may be eaten below the water or when the cormorant returns to the surface. Unfortunately, cormorants sometimes also feed by stealing the fish that have been caught in fishermen’s nets.
The Pied Cormorant is a large black and white bird with a long, grey, hooked bill and black legs and feet. It has an orange eye patch and bare throat skin, with a blue eye ring and the eye is green. Its black back sometimes has a glossy sheen, and it underparts are al white, except for black stripes on the thighs. Flocks normally fly in V-shaped formations and sometimes in lines.
The Pied Cormorant is found in marine habitats (almost exclusively so in Western Australia), including estuaries, harbours and bays. It is also found in mangroves and on large inland wetlands in eastern Australia.
Distribution map
The Pied Cormorant is generally sedentary, but young birds will disperse over long distances. As their feathers are not waterproof, cormorants are regularly seen perched with their wings outstretched to dry after fishing.
The Pied Cormorant mainly feeds on fish, but will also take crustaceans and molluscs. Like other cormorants, it catches prey underwater, by diving and swimming using its large, fully webbed feet for propulsion. It has special nictitating membranes that cover and protect the eyes underwater.
The Pied Cormorant breeds in colonies on coastal islands, flooded tree plains, mangroves and sometimes on artificial structures such as beacons. The large nest is constructed from seaweed, twigs or sticks cemented together with droppings, and is placed in a tree or on the ground. Both parents build the nest, incubate the eggs and feed the young.
IUCN status reflects the conservation status of this species globally.
