Socotra cormorant

Socotra cormorant Phalacrocorax nigrogularis is endemic to Arabia, found nowhere else across the globe apart from the Arabian Gulf and Arabian Sea.


Socotra cormorant is among the most skilled fish-catching birds in Bahrain and Arabian Gulf. It dives more than 10 m chasing fish underwater.

The nesting colony of Socotra cormorant Phalacrocorax nigrogularis on Hawar Island, south of Bahrain, is among the largest in the world. As the case with other cormorant species, nesting colonies of Socotra cormorant fluctuate widely in size over time.


Socotra cormorant lays eggs in small depressions in the ground with thousands of dense nests forming sizable breeding colonies. As such, heavy rain and cold winter temperatures often lead to mass mortality of eggs and chicks.

Seagulls are among key predators of Socotra cormorant Phalacrocorax nigrogularis on Hawar Islands. Despite continuous protection by parents, gulls succeed to prey on cormorant’s eggs and young chicks.
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