With sharp black and white contrast and a vivid yellow face, the Pied Cormorant is a familiar coastal figure. Whether it’s perched on a jetty or gliding through estuarine waters, it’s a confident fish-hunter and a regular part of coastal life.
Pied Cormorant
Phalacrocorax varius
Photo: Shirley Hitschmann
Photo: Shirley Hitschmann
Photo: Stephen Goldsworthy
Photo: Shirley Hitschmann
Bird Description:
Special features:
They dive to catch fish with powerful strokes and can stay submerged for over a minute. Their strong hooked beaks make them effective underwater hunters.
Did you know?:
They nest in raucous colonies, often on small islands or mangroves. You’ll see them hanging their wings to dry—classic cormorant behaviour after a successful fish chase.
View more information on this bird at Birdlife Australia: https://birdlife.org.au/bird-profiles/pied-cormorant
Habitat: Coastal
Location: 1770-Foreshore, 1770-Joseph Banks Cons Park Nth, 1770-LARC Bird Tour, 1770-Sandbar
Size: Large
Type of bird: Water Birds