Cormorant

Phalacrocorax carbo

Cormorants are seen at Hainault Lake year-through, with larger groups appearing in winter. They have dark bodies with white and yellow facial markings. The bills are usually pointing upwards. To dry the wings cormorants often stand with them outstretched.  During the breeding season white thigh patches develop. Male and females are similar in appearance. Juveniles are whitish underneath. For many centuries in China, trained cormorants have been utilized for fishing. A collar is placed around the bird's neck, enabling it to swallow small fish while preventing it from consuming larger ones. The fisherman retrieves the larger fish from the bird's throat and retains them for personal use.

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