All cormorants have to come out of the water regularly. Out lying rocks, and buoys are some favourite spots, but their plumage is surprisingly not waterproof. If they stay in too long they can drown.
You can see then drying, when they stand with their wings outstretched.
Most ducks, swans, geese, gulls etc are waterproof and can be in/on the water continuously.
If I remember rightly, they don't have waterproof plumage so they can squeeze out all the air from between the feathers which makes it easier for them to dive deeper and for longer.
You can see then drying, when they stand with their wings outstretched.
Most ducks, swans, geese, gulls etc are waterproof and can be in/on the water continuously.
If I remember rightly, they don't have waterproof plumage so they can squeeze out all the air from between the feathers which makes it easier for them to dive deeper and for longer.