European Shag vs Black-faced Cormorant
Gulosus aristotelis compared with Phalacrocorax fuscescens
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | European Shag | Black-faced Cormorant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gulosus aristotelis | Phalacrocorax fuscescens |
| Order | Suliformes | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 52.5 cm (20.7 in) | 52.8 cm (20.8 in) |
| Weight | 1777.25 g (62.69 oz) | 1515.0 g (53.44 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-6 | 2-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
European Shag
Least Concern
Black-faced 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.
Black-faced Cormorant
61 cm. Dark sooty-black throughout; bare black facial skin. Endemic to southern Australian coasts from the Great Australian Bight to Victoria and Tasmania. Feeds on fish in coastal and estuarine habitats. Colonial nester on rocky coastal islands; often associated with seagrass beds.