Great Cormorant vs Peregrine Falcon
Phalacrocorax carbo compared with Falco peregrinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Cormorant | Peregrine Falcon |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phalacrocorax carbo | Falco peregrinus |
| Order | Suliformes | Falconiformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae | Falconidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 90.0 cm (35.4 in) | 43.0 cm (16.9 in) |
| Wingspan | 145.0 cm (57.1 in) | 104.0 cm (40.9 in) |
| Weight | 2600.0 g (91.71 oz) | 750.0 g (26.46 oz) |
| Diet | Fish caught by diving from the surface. Pursues prey underwater using powerful feet for propulsion. … | Almost exclusively medium-sized birds caught in flight, including pigeons, doves, waterfowl, and songbirds. Hunts with … |
| Clutch Size | 1-7 | 2-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Great Cormorant only
None
Peregrine Falcon only
Great Cormorant
Coasts, estuaries, lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. Nests in colonies in trees, on cliffs, or on the ground.
Peregrine Falcon
Diverse habitats from tundra to tropics, typically near cliffs or tall structures. Increasingly found in cities nesting on skyscrapers and bridges.
Song & Call Comparison
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.
Peregrine Falcon
A harsh, wailing 'kak-kak-kak-kak' repeated rapidly in defense of the nest. Alarm call is a long screaming 'raaak'. Mostly silent away from breeding sites.
Geographic Range & Migration
Great Cormorant
Very wide range across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australasia. One of the most widespread cormorant species.
Peregrine Falcon
One of the most widespread birds, found on every continent except Antarctica. Migratory populations travel vast distances between breeding and wintering grounds.
Conservation Status
Great Cormorant
Peregrine Falcon
How to Tell Them Apart
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
Peregrine Falcon
Blue-grey upperparts with barred white underparts. A distinctive black moustachial stripe contrasts with the white throat and cheeks.
Short, notched blue-grey bill with a yellow cere
About These Birds
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.
Peregrine Falcon
The peregrine falcon is the fastest animal on Earth, reaching speeds over 389 km/h during its characteristic hunting stoop. Like the bald eagle, peregrines suffered dramatic declines from DDT but have recovered through intensive conservation programs. They have adapted remarkably well to urban environments.