Phalacrocorax varius
The Australian Pied Cormorant, *Phalacrocorax varius*, is a striking aquatic bird easily identified by its contrasting black and white plumage. Reaching lengths of 65-85 cm (26-33 in) with a wingspan of 110-130 cm (43-51 in) and weighing between 1.3-2.5 kg (2.9-5.5 lb), adults display iridescent black on their back, head, and thighs, starkly contrasting with brilliant white underparts and a white patch extending up the side of the head. A key field mark is the vibrant yellow-orange facial ski...
Found in both coastal and inland aquatic environments, preferring estuaries, bays, large rivers, and lakes. Typically occurs at low elevations, rarely far from water.
Primarily piscivorous, feeding on a wide variety of fish, but also consumes crustaceans and cephalopods. Forages by pursuit-diving underwater.
Diurnal in its activities, the Australian Pied Cormorant is highly social, often seen foraging, roosting, and nesting in large aggregations. Foraging involves expert pursuit-diving, where they propel themselves underwater using their powerful webbed feet to chase and capture fish. They are coloni...
The Australian Pied Cormorant is widely distributed across the coastal and suitable inland waters of Australia and New Zealand. In Australia, the subspecies *P. v. hypoleucos* is found along the entire coastline, including Tasmania, and extends to large inland water bodies, particularly in the Mu...
Least Concern
- Australian Pied Cormorants possess partially wettable feathers, which reduce buoyancy and allow for more efficient diving, but necessitate drying their wings afterward. - They are remarkably proficient divers, capable of remaining submerged for up to a minute or more while actively chasing prey...