Newbie,
Water turkeys, aka cormorants, eat fish...in copious numbers. Here on this forum, most of us are into raising fish and like to protect them (fish) from being eaten by critters other than what we choose.
I love birds, most birds, that is. We go to great lengths to protect them and provide sanctuary on our Texas ranch, which isn't named "Meadowlark Ranch" for nothing.
There is a bird, however, that is so destructive to fish that you absolutely can not tolerate them....in East Texas at least. If you are kind to one water turkey, he will return with 30 of his friends and will clean out your pond. I do not exagerate. I have experienced it. Commercial fish growers will tell you the same. Most fisher persons are now realizing the terrible impact these "endangered" birds have on the fisheries.
They are even in the tropics of Mexico destroying mangrooves with their excrement and consuming untold numbers of baitfish. Their numbers are uncountable, not endangered. I have seen them there and have experienced their destruction on our Meadowlark ranch first hand as well. I cut them no slack. If you want a vibrant pond with forage fish and you are located on the water turkey, aka cormorant flyway, you will do the same. Thanks.
