Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Adult Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) in breeding plumage on Lake Geneva, Switzerland. February 2016. Not baited. Not called in.

Seeing flights of Great Cormorants early in the morning is one the most beautiful nature sightings you can get in Geneva. They come up the Rhône river to feed on the lake.

When in breeding plumage (image above), Great Cormorants have their neck partially white. The two following images are ideal to see the main differences between the adult (first image) and the juvenile (second image). Whereas the adult has a mostly black plumage, the juvenile a white belly and a "dirty" clear brown neck. The bill of the juveniles is also paler grey.

Adult Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) on Lake Geneva, Switzerland. November 2015. Not baited. Not called in.

Juvenile Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) on Lake Geneva, Switzerland. March 2015. Not baited. Not called in.

Great Cormorants can be seen alone, in small groups, or in big flocks. As they feed on a wide variety of fish, there are always near water. Whether it is a pond, a river or a lake.

Adult Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) by the Arve river, Switzerland. January 2016. Not baited. Not called in.

Love Nature.
Jonathan