Great Cormorant

1. Breeding adults display small white patches on their thighs that disappear in winter

2. Distinctive white and yellow chin patch against otherwise black plumage

3. Significantly larger size and thicker bill than other black cormorants

These social birds breed in colonies that can number from a few dozen to thousands of birds, typically from August to January. Both parents collaborate on building large stick nests either in trees or on the ground, and they share incubation and chick-rearing duties. After fishing expeditions, they adopt their characteristic wing-spreading pose to dry their partially wettable feathers.

Great Cormorants can be spotted throughout Australia, though they're most numerous in the southeast and southwest regions. Look for them around permanent freshwater bodies like lakes, reservoirs, and wide rivers, as well as coastal inlets and estuaries. Dawn and early morning are prime viewing times when they're actively fishing. They're often seen perched on posts, rocks, or branches near water with wings outstretched to dry. Listen for splashes as they dive – they may stay underwater for up to a minute\!

The Great Cormorant is one of the most widespread waterbirds in the world, with Australia being just one part of its global range that spans across continents. This adaptable bird has been a familiar presence in Australian waterways for countless generations, becoming a characteristic feature of both coastal and inland aquatic landscapes.