Great cormorants gliding through a snowstorm in Hesse, Germany

© Wilfried Martin/Getty Image

What are these beautiful birds?. Great cormorants

Found in every continent, great cormorants are among the most talented birds of the world. They are expert divers and are pros at catching bottom-dwelling fish. These birds are smart too they can increase their weight by swallowing pebbles, enabling them to take longer and deeper dives. However, all animals have their weaknesses. Great cormorants’ feathering is not waterproof enough to stay underwater for too long, so they have to be efficient while hunting their prey. Once they’ve successfully caught their meal, they return to the surface to dry themselves off and keep their body temperature regulated.