European Shag vs Crowned Cormorant
Gulosus aristotelis compared with Microcarbo coronatus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | European Shag | Crowned Cormorant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gulosus aristotelis | Microcarbo coronatus |
| Order | Suliformes | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 52.5 cm (20.7 in) | 41.2 cm (16.2 in) |
| Weight | 1777.25 g (62.69 oz) | 768.0 g (27.09 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-6 | 2-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
European Shag
Least Concern
Crowned Cormorant
About These Birds
European Shag
68–78 cm, wingspan 95–110 cm. All-black with glossy green; short erect crest in breeding; yellow gape. Strictly marine; breeds on rocky coasts of western Europe and Mediterranean. Feeds on fish by diving in clear coastal waters. Vulnerable; threatened by oil spills and overfishing.
Crowned Cormorant
50–57 cm. Dark brown with white facial spots in breeding plumage; orange-red facial skin. Endemic to coastal southern Africa (Namibia and South Africa). Near Threatened; restricted range on rocky shores and inshore waters. Feeds on fish; colonial nester on rocky islands and sea stacks.