How Much Do Cormorants Eat?

Cormorants are commonly found inland and along the coasts of the U.S. They feed on fish and other small species of aquatic wildlife and are often blamed for reducing fish populations in certain areas. Most studies have shown they do not eat enough fish to damage the fishing industry in any way.

  1. What Are Cormorants?

    • Cormorants are large fish-eating birds that can be found in salt or freshwater locations. Double-crested cormorants are the most common species found in the U.S. They will grow over 2 feet long and will have a wingspan of 4 feet. They can be found at lakes, rivers, swamps, coastlines and other watery areas that provide food. This species of bird commonly lives in very large groups and will travel, nest and feed together.

    How Much Cormorants Eat

    • An adult cormorant normally consumes about 1 pound of food a day. How much they eat can vary greatly from day to day. Normally they will feed on fish between 2 to 6 inches but they can feed on larger fish or eels. Cormorants will feed in groups to make the feeding process more efficient. This species of bird only eats when they need to survive or feed their young. They normally feed in a short time period, consuming near a pound of food before relaxing for the remainder of the day.

    Cormorant Diet

    • Cormorants will eat a variety of different fish species. They will eat the fish that are easiest to catch, which normally includes bottom-dwelling or school-foraging small fish. Eels, frogs, snakes, shrimp and snails are other animals that can be eaten by this species of bird. Larger fish will be taken to the shore and swallowed head first while smaller fish are eaten immediately. They will catch fish by diving underwater.

    Problems with Cormorants

    • Cormorants are often blamed for declining fish populations and for damage being done to fish farms. Studies have shown that cormorants normally eat small fish that are near the shoreline. These fish should have little impact on fishing and the fishing industry. Still, fishermen have created cormorant removal programs in places where large cormorant populations exist. They are also blamed for killing trees and other nesting areas. Since they live in huge groups, they all tend to leave fecal matter under nests, destroying trees and other plant life.