Tag Archives: Phalacrocorax carbo

Drying off

Dílaskarfur – Cormorant – Phalacrocorax carbo

Cormorants are quite common all along the Icelandic coastline. They can easily be spotted where they spread their wings, waiting for them to dry off after diving. They are fish eaters and excellent divers.

In Iceland they lay their eggs in small islands off the coast. In other countries they may lay their eggs in trees or cliffs by the coast or even inland. During the winter time some stay on rivers and lakes, but most of them stay by the shore.

Cormorant by Selfoss

Dílaskarfur – Cormorant – Phalacrocorax carbo (juv)

Cormorants are often seen by River Ölfusá around Selfoss in winter. In the last few days a young Cormorant has been seen on the river. Today it could be seen by the river bank drying off after fishing.

Cormorants are breeding birds along the Icelandic coastline but they only lay their eggs in islands off the coast. In other countries they are more prone to fresh water and lay their eggs in trees or cliffs. In the winter time many of them stay on rivers and lakes, sometimes in flocks.