68-78 cm, sexes similar. It has a short tuft that appears in adults in winter and early spring. Present throughout the year, it becomes rare in winter and early spring when most of the population moves to southern Istria and Dalmatia to nest. It frequents the sea, ports and the outer parts of the lagoons seeking fish of little or no commercial value. It spends the night and rests during the day on the floating mussel culture floats and on beached trunks by the sea near the mouth of the Isonzo. By day, it can also be observed on the breakwaters at port entrances, on the bricole (dolphins) and rocks of the cliffs of Duino and Miramare. Normally, it is more trusting than its similar, the cormorant.