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Pied CormorantAlternative name: "Black-and-white Shag*" Size: 70-80 cm; wing span 1.0-1.3 m |
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Habitat |
(for details refer to a field guide) |
Pied Cormorants inhabit basically the entire coastal fringe around Australia, including Tasmania, and the northern tropics, plus the eastern half of the continent. They are not found in the arid interior of WA, the central and south-western NT and western SA.
Pied Cormorants are mostly found on waters with large surfaces (both fresh and saline), from the coastal fringe and estuaries to inland rivers.
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Sightings |
Together with many other aquatic birds, we saw Pied Cormorants on a boat trip on the Greenough River, south of Geraldton, WA, in March 2003.
Also sighted on trips to the east of the Great Dividing Range, in the Clarence River downs and Iluka, NSW, as well as Urunga Heads, NSW.
Found also in the area where we live, near Narrabri, NSW (both 25 km south of town and 20 km east of town). Spotted in 2006 and again in April 2007. Several sightings in the Narrabri area after the significant rainfalls of May/June 2007. Present at Narrabri Lake also in December 2008. A single bird was spotted at Yarrie Lake, about 25 km west of town, in October 2011.
Seen also 20 km west of Barraba, NSW, in January 2008.
In August 2011 a small number of Pied Cormorants was spotted by us at Goran Lake, an ephemeral lake near Spring Ridge, about 30 km south of Gunnedah, NSW.
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Photos |
Near-frontal view of a Pied Cormorant on a dead tree in our
former neighbour's billabong
Distant lateral view of a Pied Cormorant on a tree trunk on a bank of the Greenough River, Western Australia (next to a Darter)
Dorsal view of a Pied Cormorant in non-breeding plumage;
note the black flanks distinguishing it from a Little Pied Cormorant
Lateral view of a bird in non-breeding plumage in water
Group of four Pied Cormorants in flight above Goran Lake
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Food |
Like all other members of the Phalacrocorax family, Pied Cormorants feed on fish.
