Antarctic Shag vs Pygmy Cormorant

Leucocarbo bransfieldensis compared with Microcarbo pygmaeus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Antarctic Shag Pygmy Cormorant
Scientific Name Leucocarbo bransfieldensis Microcarbo pygmaeus
Order Suliformes Suliformes
Family Phalacrocoracidae Phalacrocoracidae
Conservation Status Not Evaluated Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 40.2 cm (15.8 in)
Weight 2780.0 g (98.06 oz) 693.3333333333334 g (24.46 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-3 2-8
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Antarctic Shag only

None

Pygmy Cormorant only

Conservation Status

Not Evaluated

Antarctic Shag

Least Concern

Pygmy Cormorant

About These Birds

Antarctic Shag

63–72 cm. Black above; white below; caruncles reduced compared to related shags. Breeds on the Antarctic Peninsula and associated islands. Feeds on fish in cold Antarctic coastal waters. One of the southernmost-breeding cormorants; largely sedentary around breeding colonies.

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.

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