Cormorant swallows 50cm fish in seconds

Nature’s Vacuum Cleaner: Cormorant Swallows 50cm Fish in Seconds!

The natural world is full of incredible feats of skill and adaptation, and the fishing prowess of the cormorant is definitely one of them. These sleek, dark birds are a common sight around coastlines, lakes, and rivers, but have you ever stopped to truly observe their hunting technique? Prepare to be amazed.

Recently, footage has emerged showcasing the incredible speed and efficiency with which a cormorant can swallow a fish – a 50cm (almost 20 inch!) fish, no less. It’s a spectacle that leaves you wondering how such a feat is even possible.

The Master Angler: A Cormorant’s Hunting Style

Cormorants are diving birds, meaning they propel themselves underwater using their webbed feet. Unlike many other diving birds, their feathers aren’t completely waterproof. This might seem like a disadvantage, but it actually allows them to dive more easily and with less buoyancy. After a dive, you’ll often see them perched with their wings outstretched, drying them in the sun.

Their hunting strategy is simple: dive, pursue, and spear. They use their sharp, hooked beaks to grasp fish, and their streamlined bodies help them navigate underwater with surprising agility.

The Swallowing Show: A Matter of Speed and Adaptability

Now, let’s get to the real show: the swallowing. Watching a cormorant swallow a large fish is truly mesmerizing. They bring the fish to the surface, often maneuvering it head-first. This is crucial, as it streamlines the process and prevents the fish’s sharp fins and spines from obstructing the journey down the bird’s throat.

Then, with a few impressive gulps and a series of muscular contractions, the cormorant manages to swallow the entire fish whole, often in a matter of seconds. Yes, you read that right. Seconds! Imagine trying to swallow something that long and wide!