Phalacrocorax carbo
What’s in a name? asks our wildlife expert Keith Kirk, as he looks at the Cormorant, explaining its different looks and the reason behind one of its most iconic riverside poses
Like many of you, I use the Internet and social media, and it’s great to see all the photographs posted of our beautiful countryside, of wildlife, and events that take place in Dumfries & Galloway throughout the year. Most of the time, everything is very positive and amicable. However, on one occasion, I recall someone posted a picture of what they said was a ‘new bird’ on the River Nith at the Whitesands, stating that it was a Great Cormorant, which it was. But of course, that was not the end of it, because someone else said it was just a Cormorant in breeding plumage, which it was.
So, who was right? Actually, both parties were, although the man saying it was a Great Cormorant was having none of it, as his bird was ‘rare’ and not just a ‘plain old Cormorant’…
The debate went on for a few days, and I’m not sure if they ever resolved their differences. So, why were they both right?
We have scientific names for birds which are recognised worldwide, and the two birds being debated were, in fact, Phalacrocorax carbo. If you look at the British Ornithologist Union List, which is the official listing of the UK birds, then you will see them listed as the same species - Cormorant, British (English) vernacular name – Cormorant; the International English name is Great Cormorant, and the scientific name is the same for both of them, Phalacrocorax carbo.
There are many birds with two names like this, and one of the best examples is Swallow, which is the name most of us will use. But the bird is also known as the Barn Swallow, which is its International English name.
It can be a bit confusing, I know, so as I always say, just enjoy the birds for what they are. Even on the RSPB website, the Cormorant is just called ‘Cormorant’.
One of the issues with debates over bird names is that many species of birds change their appearance the older they get, and some have different plumages depending on the time of year, or whether they are male or female.
A Cormorant in its breeding plumage is a very striking bird with its grey head and dark crest. A large white patch on its flank is also often visible. Their grey head is short-lived, and by the time the birds do start breeding, it’s almost gone.
You could be mistaken for thinking Cormorants are just a big black bird if seen from a distance, but close up, their feathers have a blueish/green sheen. The white and yellow facial cheek patch contrasts well with the body feathers, but it’s those vibrant turquoise and emerald green to sapphire-blue eyes that really stand out.
However, not every Cormorant you see will look like this, as they only really start to breed at around three to five years old.
So, depending on how old the bird is, its appearance will vary.
From being primarily brown with a light-colored breast and a dull-coloured eye in their first year, they get a bit more colour after each moult until they are ready to breed, and that is when they look their finest.
Some of you may also be wondering why Cormorants are often seen holding their wings outstretched, as if to dry them? You might be surprised to know that their preen gland produces significantly less oil compared to other water birds, and a Cormorant’s feathers are designed to absorb water, reducing buoyancy to allow for deeper, faster diving, which is why they must dry their wings in the sun.
From wildlife cameras, thermal imaging, and spotting scopes, to day optics, night vision, and protective clothing, there’s a host of kit and equipment that can help and enhance the wildlife watcher’s experience, says Keith, who shares his product recommendations from Wildlife Cam in Dumfries.
‘When it comes to thermal imagers for viewing wildlife, I have tested most of them. Viewing wildlife under the cover of darkness is a whole new experience and something most people have never thought of trying.
‘Thermal imagers are now much more affordable than they once were, and these two are very different models in terms of price, even though both are thermal.
The Hikmicro Lynx 3.0 LH 15 monocular is ideal for close-up work, such as in woodland for roosting owls, as seen on Winterwatch, or in buildings, for looking for bats. Being small, it’s easy to fit in your pocket, which means you could take it anywhere with you. It has 8GB internal storage for your videos or still pictures, as well as many of the features on the more expensive models.
‘If you prefer a binocular type, then the Pixfra Draco D225-4k Multispectral binoculars might be more your style.
They are digital 4K binoculars, but at the press of a button, you have a very high specification pair of thermal binoculars, complete with a built-in laser rangefinder for measuring just how far away your subjects are.
‘There’s plenty of internal storage for any videos you record, and who knows, maybe you will record some wildlife interaction never seen before, which in turn you could then share with the WildlifeCam online community.’
