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You see it at rivers, lakes and coasts, often with its wings widely stretched out - the Great Cormorant. The German Nature and Biodiversity Union (NABU) and the Bavarian Society for the Protection of Birds have voted the Great Cormorant as "Bird of the Year 2010". This species is not endangered, but thousands are scared away and killed every year. The experts from specialty chain Maxi Zoo profile the bird that has ruffled so many feathers.

The cormorant is characterised by its green eyes, black plumage with a green-blue shimmer, and a white patch on the head and thigh in the breeding season. You can’t tell whether a cormorant is male of female at first glance - the only difference is that the female is slightly smaller. Cormorants generally reach the approximate size of a goose. They have a long upper beak, hooked at the front, which helps these waterside dwellers to catch their underwater prey.

Cormorants used to be called "sea ravens" and their name originates from the Latin expression for this, “Corvus marinus”. These birds belong to the pelecaniformes order and live together in large breeding colonies. They are excellent divers thanks to their streamlined bodies. Cormorants propel themselves with their feet and can stay underwater for up to 90 seconds. Their feathers are also perfect for diving. These are not waterproof, as this would make them too buoyant, which is why you often see cormorants spreading their wings out to dry on a high point after hunting.

Cormorants are at home almost everywhere, except for South America. Otherwise, they are found everywhere there is water and food, i.e. fish. Cormorants basically eat what they can catch and adapt their diet to whatever types of fish are available, mostly small to medium-sized fish. They hunt several at once as this is more effective. This is why they ruffle so many feathers: Fishermen and anglers see this hunting behaviour as a threat to endangered species of fish, as well as fish farm stocks, which is why cormorants are allowed to be culled in some countries.

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Controversial Bird of the Year 2010 Cormorants have always been a source of conflict between animal rights campaigners and fishermen. In some countries, they are allowed to be hunted and killed. To strengthen its protection, the Great Cormorant has been voted the “Bird of the Year 2010”. Photo: Maxi Zoo/Ulrike Schanz (Photo printout only in association with the editorial text.) Download (813 KB)