Taxonomia
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Birds
Order: Suliformes
Family: Phalacrocoracidae
Genus: Phalacrocorax
Species: Phalacrocorax carbo
Estado de Conservação da Espécie em Portugal e no Mundo
Portugal
Mundo
Características e
Hábitos
In terms of size, it has a length between 80 and 100 cm and a wingspan between 130 and 160 cm. Its most notable characteristics are its predominantly black plumage, long neck, and blue-green eyes. Regarding its plumage, in winter the head becomes more whitish. Juveniles have a whitish color on the lower part of their body. It is an excellent swimmer and can remain underwater for quite some time. When out of the water, it opens its wings and flaps them to dry them. This swimming ability allows it to hunt large quantities of fish, even going upriver to obtain them. This puts the survival of other species, such as the osprey, which also feeds on fish, at risk.
This species feeds mainly on fish, but also eats amphibians and crustaceans. It nests by building a nest, made of branches, near water and on cliffs. Between 3 and 4 eggs are laid, and incubation lasts between 27 and 28 days.
Habitat e Distribuição
It is an uncommon resident bird along the entire coastal area of the country, the Tagus River and the Alentejo region, although it is mainly a winter visitor, with a much wider range extending up some rivers and inland. It can appear in any humid region of the country, however, it prefers the coastal area and large coastal wetlands such as marshes, reservoirs, lagoons and large rivers. The area of the country where it is most observed is the Algarve and the Sado estuary, followed by the Aveiro estuary and the Tagus estuary. The most inland area where it occurs, also with many observations, is the Guadiana River and the Alqueva reservoir. It nests mainly in the south of the country. This species has greatly increased its presence in recent years.
Todas as Fotografias Realizadas
