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Cormorants and Shags Print E-mail
Cormorant
Cormorant
Cormorants and Shags are large birds, usually black with some white or grey. They have a long body shape with short legs and big, webbed feet set back on the body so as they stand upright when on land, much like penguins. Unlike most waterbirds, the feathers of cormorants, shags and darters are not waterproof. This reduces buoyancy, which allows them to submerge without effort and splashing and with an absence of bubbles; this means they do not disturb or alert potential prey. However, this also means they have to ‘hang their wings out to dry’ and are often seen standing with their wings outstretched. These birds often dive underwater to catch their prey. They swim by kicking with their big webbed feet. The wings are tucked by their side and they do not use them to ‘fly’ underwater like penguins.
 
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Study Tours

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    Accompanying our biology programmes and tours are the Ecosystem Guide Books. The first in the series, "Rainforest of tropical Australia", has been released. It is available in all good bookstores in Cairns and in souvenir shops and info centres throughout the rainforest areas of North Queensland. If they haven't got it, ask them to order it in! It's RRP is $35.

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