Page 72 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

GANNETS, CORMORANTS,AND PELICANS
Families Sulidae, Phalacrocoracidae, Pelicanidae
GANNETS, CORMORANTS,
AND PELICANS

T FIRST SIGHT A MIXED bunch, this group CORMORANTS
Aof water birds shares several characteristics, The Cormorant is a generalist,
including a long inner wing with an obvious, able to feed in the open sea,
backward-pointed “elbow” joint near the body, in quiet estuaries, and in
and broad webbing across all four toes (wildfowl lakes or rivers. It nests in
have webs only between the front three).They trees, as well as on cliffs.
all feed on fish, some being restricted to the sea, The Shag nests only
others coming inland too. on cliffs and feeds in
saltwater.The Pygmy
GANNETS Cormorant is a freshwater
These are magnificent plunge-divers, seeing fish bird in summer, nesting in CORMORANT
from high up and diving headlong, or fishing marshes, but may move to The big white thigh patch
from a lower altitude if the fish are close to the the coast at other times. shows this Cormorant to be
surface, spearing into the water at an angle.They in breeding plumage.
are often seen from the coast but spend winter PELICANS
well out at sea.They breed in a small number Familiar, huge, ponderous birds on the water,
of large colonies, mostly on offshore islands. known for the remarkable “pouch” beneath the
Gannets are among the most spectacular sights bill,pelicans are brilliant fliers,often in beautifully
in European birdwatching. coordinated lines,V-shaped flocks, or swirling
packs. Among the world’s biggest flying birds,
they are always impressive.

DENSE FLOCKS
White Pelicans feed and rest together in tightly packed
flocks, which look wonderful when they take flight.

FEEDING FRENZY
Gannets watch each other’s
vivid white plumage from great
distances and can quickly home
in on any good feeding spot.

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