Success

Cormorant / An Broigheall

Galway
attraction
Biodiversity
Audio
Contact Information

The Cormorant is a pitch-black seabird that can often be seen perched near the water, ready to dive for its prey. You may also spot them after a feed with their wings outstretched, drying themselves in the sun (although we don’t get much sunshine in Galway, unfortunately for them!) Like some of the other aquatic birds resident on Galway’s canals, the Cormorant will dive underwater to catch its prey, which includes fish like wrasses, flathead, and sole. Their webbed feet allow them to swim in the river with ease, while they keep their head above water, occasionally diving. They are resident in Ireland all year round and breed along the coastlines. Some winter out at sea.  Is éan mara atá chomh dubh le pic é an broigheall, nó an chailleach dhubh, agus is minic a d’fheicfeá é suite cóngarach don uisce agus é réidh le tumadh agus breith ar a chreach. B’fhéidir go dtiocfá air tar éis dó béile a ithe, a sciatháin sínte amach aige agus é á thriomú féin faoin ngrian (cé nach mórán gréine atá i nGaillimh dóibh, ar an drochuair!) Cosúil le cuid eile de na héin uisce atá ag maireachtáil ar chanálacha na Gaillimhe, tumann an broigheall faoin uisce le breith ar chreach, ina measc iasc cosúil leis an mballach, an t-iasc ceannchothroim agus an sól. Tá sé in ann snámh san abhainn gan aon stró, a bhuíochas sin do na cosa scamallacha atá air. Coinníonn sé a chloigeann os cionn uisce agus anois agus arís tumann sé síos. Caitheann an broigheall an bhliain ar fad in Éirinn agus déanann sé síolrú feadh na gcóstaí. Geimhríonn cuid de na broighill amuigh ar an bhfarraige.