European Shag vs Pygmy Cormorant
Gulosus aristotelis compared with Microcarbo pygmaeus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | European Shag | Pygmy Cormorant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gulosus aristotelis | Microcarbo pygmaeus |
| Order | Suliformes | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 52.5 cm (20.7 in) | 40.2 cm (15.8 in) |
| Weight | 1777.25 g (62.69 oz) | 693.3333333333334 g (24.46 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-6 | 2-8 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
European Shag
Least Concern
Pygmy 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.
Pygmy Cormorant
45–55 cm. Small; dark brown with chestnut head and neck in breeding; pale yellow throat. Resident across eastern Europe, Middle East, and Central Asia in freshwater lakes and rivers. Vulnerable; declining due to wetland degradation. Feeds on small fish by diving.