Variation in the diet of Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) in the Bidasoa river and its estuary

Full article

Published:

Volume 43(2), December 1996. Pages 199-205.

Language:

Spanish

Original title:

Diferencias en la alimentación del Cormorán Grande (Phalacrocorax carbo) entre el río Bidasoa y su estuario.

Keywords:

Bidasoa River, Cormorant, diet, Phalacrocorax carbo, prey size, Spain, wintering.

Abstract:

We studied the diet of Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) by direct observations of foraging birds. The main prey were eels (Anguilla anguilla) grey mullets (Quelon labrosus) and Flounders (Platichthys flesus). Eels were the most frequent prey in the river, and mullets in the estuary. In biomass, flounders were the most important prey in both areas. Prey were larger in the river than in the estuary. Cormorants foraged alone in 77% of observations and grouped the rest. Cormorants took larger fishes in groups than when solitary.