What is Cormorant?
{{Taxobox | name = Cormorants and shags | image = Cormorant-20070224-034.jpg | image_width = 240px | image_caption = [[Little pied cormorant]]<br />''Phalacrocorax melanoleucos'' | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordata]] | classis = [[Aves]] | subclassis = [[Neornithes]] | infraclassis = [[Neoaves]] | ordo = [[Suliformes]] | familia = '''Phalacrocoracidae''' | familia_authority = [[Ludwig Reichenbach|Reichenbach]], [[1850]] | genus = '''''Phalacrocorax''''' | genus_authority = [[Mathurin Jacques Brisson|Brisson]], [[1760]]}} '''Cormorants''' are a [[family (biology)|family]] of [[bird|seabirds]]. There are about 40 different [[species]] of Cormorants. In some areas, they are also known as '''shags'''.{{cn|date=December 2024}} ==Description== Cormorants range in size from as little as 45 [[Centimetre|cm]] (18 [[Inch|in]]) and 340 [[gram|g]] (12 [[ounce|oz]]) to a maximum size 100 cm (40 in) and 5 kg (11 lbs). Most cormorants, including nearly all [[northern hemisphere]] species, have mainly dark [[feather]]s. Some [[southern hemisphere]] species are black and white. A few species are very [[color]]ful. Many species have areas of colored skin on the face. These areas can be bright blue, orange, red or yellow. They usually become more brightly colored in the [[breed]]ing season. The bill is long, thin, and sharply hooked. Their feet have webbing between all four toes. Cormorants can dive for 4 minutes looking for food.{{cn|date=December 2024}} ==Habitat== Cormorants breed on rocky [[headland]]s and [[islands]] as well as near [[inland]] [[Lake|lakes]], [[Marsh|marshes]] and reservoirs. The [[birds]] spend the [[winter]] on [[Coast|coasts]], [[Estuary|estuaries]], [[River|rivers]], [[Lake|lakes]] and [[Reservoir|reservoirs]].{{cn|date=December 2024}} ==Related pages== *[[Great cormorant]] *[[Indian cormorant]] *[[Little cormorant]] *[[Pygmy cormorant]] [[Category:Cormorants| ]]