Site fidelity of cormorants phalacrocorax carbo winteringin southern france and northern spain

Abstract

During five consecutive years (1991-1996) fortnightly censuses were made just before sunset at twenty roosts of Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo located at inland and coastal habitats in southern France and northern Spain. Some Cormorants had lost their colour rings so thatonly a metal ring was observed. The mean length of stay of wintering Cormorants in our study area was 64 days. First winter birds stayed longer than adult birds. Only nine Cormorants stayed more than three months. Our data are not consistent with the claim that Cormorants are “nomadic” outside the breeding season. © 2000 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.