Black-faced Cormorant

Identification

The black-faced cormorant is a medium-sized member of the cormorant family, notable for its striking pied plumage: black upperparts contrasting sharply with white underparts. Its most distinctive feature is its naked black face, which gives the species its common name. The bird also displays a dark grey bill with a prominent hooked tip, black tail and thighs, and striking blue-green eyes. Back feathers are glossy, catching the light beautifully. When flying, it characteristically holds its head level or lower than its body and spreads its wings in a cross-shape, typical of cormorants.

Separating this species from similar cormorants requires attention to size: the pied cormorant is slightly larger, while the little pied cormorant is slightly smaller. During breeding season, fine white streaks appear along the neck. Juveniles are noticeably different, with dark-brown upper feathers and darker ear coverts, though they pale beneath with brown streaking. Males are slightly larger and more robust than females, with bills exceeding 77 millimeters compared to females' bills under 76 mm—a subtle distinction difficult to assess in the field.

Range & Habitat

Black-faced cormorants are endemic to coastal regions of southern Australia and Tasmania, with an estimated population in the tens of thousands. Two independent populations exist: one along the southern coast of Western Australia, and another distributed across South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania, particularly concentrated in the Bass Strait and Spencer Gulf.

Unlike other Australian cormorants, this species is exclusively coastal and marine. It frequents coastal waters, inlets, rocky shores, and offshore islands, occasionally venturing into river estuaries. Breeding colonies are established on steep cliffs and rocky islands, where these birds nest in winter months to avoid disturbance during the breeding season.

Behaviour & Diet

The black-faced cormorant is superbly adapted to marine life, using pursuit-diving to capture fish with remarkable efficiency, diving to depths of up to 12 meters. After diving, it spreads its wings to dry its feathers in the sun—a characteristic cormorant behaviour easily observed by patient wildlife watchers. Birds occasionally forage together in flocks, and they consume their prey whole, later regurgitating non-digestible parts as pellets.

Its diet consists almost exclusively of fish, particularly benthic and demersal species, supplemented with occasional cephalopods. During breeding season, wrasse and silver trevally are preferred. After breeding, the diet shifts to silverbelly, wrasse, whiting, and hardyheads. The bird forages along the coast and at river mouths, making it predictable to observe in these locations. Away from breeding colonies, black-faced cormorants remain unusually silent, though males emit loud honks or guttural croaks at nesting sites, and females hiss when approached.

Best Time & Places to See It

Black-faced cormorants breed seasonally, with timing varying by population. In the Bass Strait, breeding occurs from June to September, peaking around late July, likely to avoid hot summer temperatures harmful to chicks. Western and southern Australian colonies breed later, from September to February. Winter months coincide with breeding activity, making coastal areas more productive for observation during these periods.

Seek them along rocky shores, offshore islands, and coastal inlets throughout southern Australia and Tasmania. The Bass Strait and Spencer Gulf are particularly rewarding regions. Because colonies are sensitive to human disturbance, observe from a respectful distance and respect protected breeding habitats. Foraging birds along coasts and river mouths offer excellent viewing opportunities year-round.

Photography Tips

The black-faced cormorant's striking pied plumage and glossy back feathers photograph beautifully in good light. Position yourself to capture the contrast between black upperparts and white underparts. The blue-green eyes and prominent hooked bill are compelling focal points worth isolating with telephoto lenses.

Early morning light is ideal for photographing these birds as they sun-dry their wings after diving—a characteristic pose that makes for compelling compositions. During breeding season, nesting pairs at colonies offer opportunities for behavioral shots, though maintain distance to avoid disturbing these sensitive birds. The cross-shaped wing posture in flight is distinctive; patience and fast shutter speeds will reward you with striking in-flight images.