01821nas a2200229   4500008004100000245013700041210006900178260001200247300001200259490000700271520100700278653000901285653002101294653002101315653002601336653002001362653001401382653002301396100001801419700002101437856013301458       1996                        eng d00aThe breeding biology of Pygmy Cormorants (<i>Phalacrocorax pygmeus</i>), a vulnerable bird species, at Lake Kerkini, Northern Greece0 abreeding biology of Pygmy Cormorants iPhalacrocorax pygmeusi a v  c1996///  a219-2230 v193 aThe Pygmy Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmeus) is a little-known vulnerable species with a restricted Palearctic distribution. From 1988 to 1990, its breeding biology was examined at the artificial Lake of Kerkini, northern Greece where it nests in a mixed-species colony composed of 12 species of waterbirds. The height of the cormorant nests above the ground varied from 2.2 to 5.5 m. The water depth varied from 1.0 m at the beginning of the laying period to 3.0 m by the middle of the breeding season. Mean egg measurements were 46.5 ? 30.6 mm. Mean clutch size was 5.3 eggs (range: 2 to 8); clutches of 5 and 6 were the most common. Almost 77% of the 867 eggs laid in 165 nests observed over three years hatched. Survival of chicks to three weeks of age was 69% of the eggs laid and 89.8% of eggs hatched. Flooding of nests was the major mortality factor. Decreasing the maximum water level and the duration of the flooding at that level is necessary to prevent the destruction of the flooded forest.10aAves10aBreeding biology10aBreeding success10aPhalacrocorax pygmeus10aPygmy Cormorant10areservoir10aVulnerable species1 aNazirides, T.1 aPApageorgiou, N.  uhttps://icgf.myspecies.info/content/breeding-biology-pygmy-cormorants-phalacrocorax-pygmeus-vulnerable-bird-species-lake-kerkini