They are coastal rather than oceanic birds, and some have colonised inland waters - the original ancestor of cormorants seems to have been a fresh-water bird, judging from the habitat of their most ancient lineage. They range around the world, except for the central Pacific islands.
They are fish-eaters, dining on small eels, fish, and even water snakes. They dive from the surface, though many species make a characteristic half-jump as they dive, presumably to give themselves a more streamlined entry into the water. Under water they propel themselves with their feet. Some cormorant species have been found, using depth gauges, to dive to depths of as much as 45 metres.
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