The cormorant tree

A year or so ago the River Wye was in spate and the force of its flow knocked down a tree that cormorants liked to roost in. There was no obvious nearby tree that they fancied and so the sight of these birds perched above the river was no longer a regular occurence. However, as the months have passed one tree looks like it might become a substitute perch as birds seem to be favouring it. Cormorant trees are known for their dead branches caused by the birds' droppings. This tree is not yet marked in this way, but regular use will undoubtedly produce these characteristic features.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon P950

Sea Crow

The name of the bird we call the cormorant (Phalocrocorax carbo) is said to derive from C12 French then Latin (Corvus marinus) for sea crow. Looking at this big black bird one can imagine how that might have come about. Today the cormorant isn't a bird associated only with the sea, though many can be seen there; it is also equally at home on some inland rivers and lakes. The bird in the photograph was perched on a riverside alder tree at Ross on Wye. The white feathers on the neck and the white patch on its flanks indicate that it is an adult in breeding plumage.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon P900

Tree top cormorant

The cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) always appears to me to be an odd looking, ungainly bird. There is something prehistoric, reptilian even, about it. When it swims it looks like it is sinking because its feathers don't trap air like a duck's and so it is less buoyant. This is to make it easier to dive and swim under water in search of its prey. When walking it has all the grace of a goose i.e. none. In flight, it has to be said, the cormorant flies directly and powerfully (and I imagine its underwater movement is elegant). When it holds its sagging wings out to dry after hunting it appears clownish. And when perched on trees it looks completely out of place when compared with other perching birds.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

Cormorant wing drying

One of the characteristics of the cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) is to perch on a tree, rock, buoy or some other place above water with its wings outspread. The purpose of this is to dry the bird's feathers which become very wet when it dives to catch its principal food, fish. Why, you may wonder do tufted ducks, dabchicks, gannet, terns and other diving birds not adopt this posture too? Apparently the cormorant's feathers are more "wettable" because they have less air trapped in them. This allows them to dive deeper and swim underwater for longer. This young cormorant was enjoying the late November sun that bathed Cannop Ponds in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon P900