Cormorants on the Central Coast: The Slick Divers of Our Waterways
You’ve probably seen a dark, skinny bird perched on a post or rock, wings stretched wide, just drying off after a dive – that’s a cormorant. These quiet, hard-working birds are common across the Central Coast and are often spotted around lakes, rivers, and the open ocean.
They’re not flashy like pelicans or cheeky like seagulls, but cormorants are amazing fishers and a cool part of our local wildlife scene.
What is a cormorant?
Cormorants are water birds with long necks, dark feathers, and hooked beaks that help them catch slippery fish. They’re strong swimmers and expert divers – chasing fish underwater using their webbed feet like flippers.
We get a few different types of cormorants on the Central Coast:
Little Black Cormorant – as the name suggests, small and all black.
Little Pied Cormorant – black and white with a yellow beak.
Great Cormorant – larger with a more powerful build, also black.
Pied Cormorant – bigger again, with a black and white body and bright yellow patch on the face.
They’re often seen sitting still near the water or diving under and popping up somewhere completely different!
Where can you see them?
Cormorants love water – salty or fresh – so they’re easy to find across the Central Coast. Great spots to see them include:
Brisbane Water – from Gosford to Woy Woy, they perch on old jetties and boat rails.
Tuggerah Lake – around Chittaway, The Entrance, and Long Jetty.
Wyong River and Ourimbah Creek – peaceful spots where they fish and rest.
Terrigal Haven and Avoca Lagoon – perfect for spotting them drying their wings in the sun.
You’ll often see them standing still with wings outstretched – they do this to dry off because their feathers aren’t fully waterproof, which actually helps them dive deeper.
What do they eat?
Cormorants mostly eat fish, but also snack on crustaceans and water bugs. They dive beneath the surface and chase their prey, often staying under for 30 seconds or more.
Their eyesight is great, and they’re fast underwater – if you’re lucky, you might see one pop up with a fish in its beak.
Nesting and behaviour
Cormorants usually nest in trees near water or on quiet islands and sandbanks. They build messy nests out of sticks and seaweed, often in colonies with lots of noisy neighbours.
They’re social birds – you’ll often see them in groups resting together after a feed. Despite their serious look, they live pretty relaxed lives.
How can we help protect them?
Cormorants rely on clean water and healthy fish stocks. Here's how we can help:
Don’t leave fishing line or hooks – they can get tangled and injured. Parents use the discarded line to make their nests.
Keep waterways clean – pollution affects both their food and nesting spots.
Watch from a distance – like all wildlife, they’re best left undisturbed.
Supporting Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast who care for water birds and protect breeding areas
Next time you’re near the water, keep an eye out for a slick, dark bird drying its wings or disappearing under the surface. Cormorants might not make a fuss, but they’re skilled, smart, and an important part of the Central Coast’s birdlife.