aalscholvers

Aalscholvers are the Dutch common name for cormorants, a group of medium to large water birds in the family Phalacrocoracidae. The term is most often applied to the great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), the species most widely found in Europe, but it can refer to other cormorants within the region. Aalscholvers are piscivorous birds that catch fish by diving from the surface.

Description and behavior: Aalscholvers have a long neck, a slender hooked bill, and dark plumage. Adults are mainly black with a pale throat or facial skin that becomes bare and brightly colored during the breeding season. Juveniles are typically browner and duller. Their plumage is not fully waterproof, which helps them dive, but they must dry their wings after fishing, often seen perched with wings spread. They swim with powerful strokes and can dive deep to pursue prey.

Habitat and distribution: Aalscholvers inhabit coastal waters, estuaries, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. They are found across much of Europe and Asia, with populations extending into Africa and the Americas depending on the species. In many regions they form large breeding colonies on cliffs, rocky shores, or in trees near water, and they may roost on man-made structures as well.

Reproduction and feeding: Breeding typically occurs in colonies. Nests are built from sticks and are placed on ledges, on islands, or in trees. Clutch size and incubation periods vary by species, but both parents participate in incubation and chick rearing. The diet is primarily fish, which they catch by diving underwater.

Conservation and human interactions: Aalscholvers can occur in large numbers in suitable habitats, and some populations have increased in recent decades. They are protected by law in many countries, though they may come into conflict with fisheries when they prey on commercially valuable fish. The great cormorant is listed as Least Concern by major conservation organizations.