Eurasian Eagle-Owl vs Great Cormorant
Bubo bubo compared with Phalacrocorax carbo
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Eurasian Eagle-Owl | Great Cormorant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bubo bubo | Phalacrocorax carbo |
| Order | Strigiformes | Suliformes |
| Family | Strigidae | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 68.0 cm (26.8 in) | 90.0 cm (35.4 in) |
| Wingspan | 170.0 cm (66.9 in) | 145.0 cm (57.1 in) |
| Weight | 2800.0 g (98.77 oz) | 2600.0 g (91.71 oz) |
| Diet | Mammals up to the size of hares and young foxes, and birds up to the … | Fish caught by diving from the surface. Pursues prey underwater using powerful feet for propulsion. … |
| Clutch Size | 2-4 | 1-7 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Eurasian Eagle-Owl only
Great Cormorant only
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Rocky landscapes, cliffs, gorges, and open forest across Eurasia. Increasingly found near human settlements.
Great Cormorant
Coasts, estuaries, lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. Nests in colonies in trees, on cliffs, or on the ground.
Song & Call Comparison
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Powerful, resonant 'ooo-hu' duetting with mate across great distances at dusk. One of Europe's deepest owl calls. Also gives barking screams, hisses, and grunts at the nest.
Great Cormorant
Deep, guttural grunts and 'karrr' calls at colonies. Bill-clicking and hissing in threat displays. Silent at sea. Colonial noise can be deafening during the breeding season.
Geographic Range & Migration
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Widespread across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The most widely distributed eagle-owl.
Great Cormorant
Very wide range across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australasia. One of the most widespread cormorant species.
Conservation Status
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Great Cormorant
How to Tell Them Apart
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Tawny-brown plumage heavily mottled and streaked with black. Large prominent orange eyes and long ear tufts. Streaked breast and barred belly.
Powerful, dark grey-black hooked bill
Great Cormorant
All black with a bronze-green gloss. White throat patch and white thigh patches in breeding season. Yellow-orange face patch around the bill base.
Long, hooked, dark bill with a yellow gape
About These Birds
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
The Eurasian eagle-owl is one of the largest owl species in the world, with females sometimes reaching a wingspan of nearly two meters. Its deep booming call can be heard up to four kilometers away on calm nights. These apex predators sit at the top of the avian food chain, preying on other raptors including buzzards and smaller owls.
Great Cormorant
The great cormorant is one of the most widespread seabirds in the world. Unlike most waterbirds, cormorants lack fully waterproof plumage, leading to the iconic pose of standing with wings spread open to dry. In Asia, cormorants have been used by fishermen to catch fish for over a thousand years.