hainaultforest.net

Cormorant

Phalacrocorax carbo

Cormorants visit Hainault Lake all year round appearing in greater numbers during winter and are often seen standing with wings held out to dry. Their bills are usually in a raised position. They have dark bodies with white and yellow face patches. In the breeding season they also have white thigh patches. Juveniles are whitish underneath. Cormorants may be despised by some British anglers, but in other parts of the world they are the fisherman's friend. For many centuries in China tame Cormorants have been employed to catch fish. A collar is attached around the bird's neck allowing it to swallow small fish, but not large ones. The fisherman retrieves the larger fish from the bird's throat and keeps them for himself.

Birds