Aquatic Attack - Story of Cormorants

Found in almost every type of fish-holding water in the world, the sleek, agile cormorant thrives. Its routine of diving and reemerging, only to settle on an outpost to spread its wings to dry, captivating casual onlookers and ornithologists alike. With a wide wingspan, cormorants cut striking figures against the sky, their silhouettes unmistakable as they soar effortlessly or dive gracefully into the water below.

Cormorants exemplify nature's ingenuity, perfectly adapted to life in both air and water. Unlike most waterfowl, cormorants have less preen oil in their feathers, making them less buoyant and better suited for diving. This necessitates periodic wing-drying in the sun, often seen in their iconic pose of perching with wings outstretched.

Cormorants are medium-to-large birds that typically range from 70 to 90 centimeters (27 to 35 inches) in body length and have wingspans up to 160 centimeters (63 inches). Their sleek, elongated bodies and long necks give them a distinctive, almost prehistoric look. Their size aids them in flying long distances during migrations and diving deep underwater in pursuit of fish.

Cormorants are also notable for their breeding behavior. They form colonies, nesting in large groups on cliffs, trees, or even on the ground in some coastal areas. Males perform elaborate displays, including wing-flapping, bowing, and vocalizations to attract mates. Once paired, they are generally monogamous for the breeding season, working together to build nests from seaweed, twigs, and other materials. They take turns incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks, demonstrating strong partnership and cooperation.

Voracious eaters, cormorants primarily consume small to medium-sized fish but will also eat crustaceans, amphibians, and insects. An adult cormorant can consume up to a pound of fish per day. They are exceptional hunters, using their sharp, hooked beaks to catch and hold onto slippery prey underwater.

A notable feature of cormorants is their feathers. The lack of significant natural oils makes their feathers less waterproof and allows them to become waterlogged. While this might seem disadvantageous, it actually aids in diving and swimming efficiently by reducing buoyancy. Consequently, they spend considerable time drying their wings after a dive, often seen in their classic outstretched-wing pose.

Observing a cormorant in action is like watching a finely tuned machine. They can stay submerged for up to a minute, using their webbed feet to propel them through the water with speed and agility. Their sharp eyesight helps them spot fish from a distance, making them highly effective predators. After hunting, they resurface, swallow their catch whole, and then find a sunny spot to dry off and rest.

Cormorants are found on every continent except Antarctica. They are remarkably adaptable, living in environments ranging from rocky seashores and coastal regions to inland lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Each species of cormorant has fine-tuned its lifestyle to suit its habitat, showcasing their versatility and evolutionary success.

With an ancient lineage traced back millions of years through fossil records, cormorants highlight their resilience and adaptability through changing climates and landscapes. Today, they continue to play vital roles in their ecosystems, helping to maintain the balance of aquatic life by managing fish populations.

Cormorants have a mixed relationship with humans. In some cultures, rural China comes to mind, they are valued partners in fishing, a practice dating back centuries. Trained cormorants, fitted with neck rings to prevent them from swallowing larger fish, work alongside fishermen to catch fish, demonstrating unique human-animal collaboration. However, in other regions, cormorants are seen as competition for valuable fish stocks, leading to conflicts with local fishermen.

Despite these challenges, cormorants remain symbols of adaptability and resilience. Their ability to thrive in diverse environments, coupled with extraordinary diving and flying capabilities, makes them a fascinating subject of study and admiration. As we continue to explore the natural world, the cormorant stands out as a remarkable example of nature's ingenuity, seamlessly bridging the realms of air and water with grace and precision.

Lesson: Cormorants' hunting techniques, involving sharp eyesight and agile movements, can be compared to how businesses use data and analytics to spot market opportunities and act swiftly to capitalize on them. Market Intelligence and Competitive Intelligence functions provide essential external data and analytics aimed to enhance business strategies and achieve desirable outcomes.

TLDR: Cormorants are a species of bird well-known for their ability to swim with ease in the hunt for fish and other aquatic foods. They have a unique skill for swimming underwater and flying above, and they are found on six continents. Occasionally, humans will train cormorants to be a fish-finding asset by tying surgical tubing around their necks to prevent them from eating the catch.

Note: The inspiration for this week came via an interaction I had with a local cormorant. In short, I found a cormorant stuck in the foot by a fishing lure that had tangled in a tree overhanging the water. The cormorant was struggling violently to keep his head above water, and knowing these birds would become water-logged (due to lack of oil on feathers), I knew action needed to happen quickly. As I aim to be prepared for various circumstances when traveling, I retrieved a machete and work gloves from my Land Cruiser and proceeded to swim into the canal water to rescue it. I grabbed the cormorant by the throat to prevent any retaliation and ensure safe retrieval of the lure in the foot, cut the line and swam to shore with the cormorant in hand. Removed the lure and set it free. They are truly lovely and enjoyable creatures to observe and I was fortunate to be in a position to rescue this specimen.