They can be told from Cormorants by their smaller size, less fearsome head and bill and peaked crown. In summer they are completely dark apart from a limited yellow line around the gape and they often show a little upright tuft on the crown. The immatures have pale brown bellies not showing white areas as a young Cormorant would. In flight they are smaller and slighter with quicker wing-beats, resembling a duck rather than a goose and with the thin neck held straight, not kinked.

Photographer : Tom Cooney