The juvenile Great Cormorant at the Isle of May Nature Reserve, situated in the Firth of Forth, Scotland, is distinguished by its white belly and throat. Additionally, Great Cormorants are recognized for their unique neck kink, which contrasts with the slimmer, more linear neck of the Shag.
Great Cormorants typically first breed at the age of 2-4 years. It is difficult to age juvenile Great Cormorants beyond “immature”
Breeding Cormorants begin nesting in April, laying clutches of three to five eggs. The incubation period for the eggs ranges from 28 to 31 days, and it can take the chicks up to 60 days to fledge.
Cormorants are diving birds that forage and feed along the seabed, known as benthic feeding.