Rough-faced Shag vs Cape Cormorant
Leucocarbo carunculatus compared with Phalacrocorax capensis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Rough-faced Shag | Cape Cormorant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Leucocarbo carunculatus | Phalacrocorax capensis |
| Order | Suliformes | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Endangered |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 57.6 cm (22.7 in) | 50.6 cm (19.9 in) |
| Weight | 2577.5 g (90.92 oz) | 1223.75 g (43.17 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-3 | 2-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Vulnerable
Rough-faced Shag
Endangered
Cape Cormorant
About These Birds
Rough-faced Shag
65–70 cm. Black above; white below; prominent orange-red facial caruncles. Endemic to Cook Strait area, New Zealand. Vulnerable; small fragmented population. Feeds on fish and invertebrates in coastal waters. Colonial nester on cliff ledges; distinct from other New Zealand shags.
Cape Cormorant
63 cm. All-black with glossy blue-green; bare orange facial skin. Breeds colonially on South African and Namibian islands. Endangered; severe decline due to competition with purse-seine anchovy fisheries and El Niño events. Feeds on anchovy and sardine in Benguela Current.