Unique Ecosystem - Birds
The Japanese cormorant is a species of cormorant that can be found on the rocks along the coasts of the Oki Islands. It is a seabird that breeds mainly on cliffs along the coast north of central Honshu, and some places in western Japan. It is around 85 cm in size, and its wing span reaches more than 3 m. The Japanese cormorant has a black body, with yellow showing from around the eyes to the throat. During breeding season, they develop white feather patches from the head to the neck, as well as at the base of the legs.
Cormorants have low fat content and their feathers do not repel water, so they are suitable for diving. However, since it is heavy for them to fly with their wet feathers, they spread their wings to dry them. Here in the Oki Islands, the birds can often be seen drying their wings on the rocks, with their wings spread wide open. The Japanese cormorant is the species used for cormorant fishing in Japan.
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Scientific Name
Phalacrocorax capillatus
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Classification
Family Phalacrocoracidae
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Migratory Classification
Resident bird: lives in the same region of Japan year round, including breeding; generally no seasonal migration
