Urban birds at Hull. 26. Cormorant

 The Cormorant is a large, statuesque black fishing bird. In close views, their plumage is shiny, scaly and with metallic tones. There is a yellow bare area around the bill and they have bottle green eyes. During the breeding season adult Cormorants develop a white patch on chin, and thighs and a fluffy white covering on the neck, the yellow on the bill becomes a brighter orange. Immatures have variable white undersides.

A Cormorant in breeding plumage at Oak Road Lake, 2nd March 2021.

Immature Cormorant at East Park, 2nd February 2020.

Cormorants spend much of their time sitting on prominent perches: pylons, floodlights and chimneys, often overlooking water. They float low on the water and dive expertly after fish. After a diving session, they often sit on their perch with wings outstretched. They can be found in singles or in groups.

Two populations breed in the UK, a coastal breeding population (Phalacrocorax carbo carbo) and an inland breeding population (P. carbo sinensis), which expanded into the UK since the early 80s. Identification is not easy and requires close views of the gular pouch.

Cormorant on floodlight neat the River Hull at Sculcoates, 4th September, 2021.

Two Cormorants rest atop a chimney in the Old Town by the River Hull. 22nd August 2021.

Cormorants drying their wings by the mouth of the River Hull at the Deep, 9th February 2021.

Spot the Cormorant on the pylon by the River Hull at Stoneferry.

Status and distribution in Hull

Cormorants can be seen year round, and flyover individuals can be seen from any point in Hull. They don't breed in the area, but in the breeding season there are always non-breeders around, although they are more abundant from August to March. The River Hull, the large drains and the docks are good sites to watch them. It is also worth checking pylons, where they can be easily missed. They will also fish in all fishing lakes and public parks in the city, but they tend to avoid busy periods and are easily overlooked.

A cormorant feeds at Oak Road Lake, 21 July 2021.

12th June 2021. Cormorant flying over Pickering Park.

Cormorant trying to swallow a flounder in the River Hull near Stoneferry, 13th April, 2021.

Two Cormorants fly over the River Hull, 29th March 2021. Note the white thighs and whitish neck on the bird on the rear.

Conservation and Management

Cormorants are regarded as not of conservation concern, and are currently Green listed. The inland breeding population appears to be increasing in size, while the coastal population is decreasing.

More information

Broughton, R.K. 2002. Birds of the Hull Area. Kingston Press. Hull, UK.