European Shag vs Double-crested Cormorant
Gulosus aristotelis compared with Nannopterum auritum
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | European Shag | Double-crested Cormorant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gulosus aristotelis | Nannopterum auritum |
| Order | Suliformes | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 52.5 cm (20.7 in) | — |
| Weight | 1777.25 g (62.69 oz) | 1936.0 g (68.29 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-6 | 3-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
European Shag
Least Concern
Double-crested 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.
Double-crested Cormorant
70–90 cm, wingspan 114–123 cm. Dark with two small orange ear tufts in breeding; orange-yellow facial skin. Widespread across North America and Central America. Highly adaptable; colonial nester. Controversial where it competes with commercial fisheries; feeds almost exclusively on fish.