By: Anushka Jha
Cormorants are adaptable birds, found in a range of aquatic habitats, from coastal waters to inland lakes and rivers, showcasing their ability to thrive in diverse environments.
These birds are skilled hunters, diving underwater to pursue fish with remarkable agility, aided by their streamlined bodies and powerful webbed feet.
Cormorants have long necks and hooked bills, perfectly suited for catching and swallowing fish whole, while their waterproof feathers ensure buoyancy in the water.
Cormorants often gather in large colonies, roosting and nesting together on cliffs, rocky outcrops, or man-made structures, fostering social bonds and cooperative behaviors.
During breeding season, cormorants construct nests from sticks and debris, laying eggs in communal nests that provide protection from predators and the elements.
Contempt their adaptability, cormorant populations face threats from habitat destruction, pollution, and human disturbance, necessitating conservation efforts to ensure their survival.
Cormorants play a vital ecological role in aquatic ecosystems, regulating fish populations and contributing to the overall health and balance of their habitats.