Fun Cormorants Facts for Kids

The name cormorant might sound like a name for an insect, but cormorants are actually large water birds. Cormorants live in coastal areas or near lakes and rivers. They are usually black, brown or grayish. During the mating season, some cormorants develop brilliant white or blue patches on their throats or thighs.

Cormorant on a Rock Image - Science for Kids All About Cormorants — All about cormorants, large water birds that live in coastal areas or near lakes and rivers and are usually black, brown or grayish.

Cormorants, like most waterfowl, eat fish and shellfish. They are expert swimmers and can dive up to 100 feet deep to catch fish. They can stay underwater for more than one minute!

Cormorant Catching a Fish Image — Cormorants, like most waterfowl, eat fish and shellfish.

Fun Facts about Cormorants for Kids

Cormorants build nests on rocky crags to protect their babies. Sometimes they use old blue heron nests high in trees.
Cormorants nest in colonies and drop their poop on trees, bushes and rocks. Because so many cormorants nest in one place, their poop can stain rocks or even kill trees!
Cormorant mothers and fathers take turns sitting on their eggs. Once the babies are born, their parents feed them half-eaten fish.
Cormorants are sometimes harmed by pollution or oil in the water.