Chatham Islands Shag vs Little Cormorant

Leucocarbo onslowi compared with Microcarbo niger

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Chatham Islands Shag Little Cormorant
Scientific Name Leucocarbo onslowi Microcarbo niger
Order Suliformes Suliformes
Family Phalacrocoracidae Phalacrocoracidae
Conservation Status Critically Endangered Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 51.8 cm (20.4 in) 39.3 cm (15.5 in)
Weight 2095.0 g (73.90 oz) 442.5 g (15.61 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 3 2-6
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Chatham Islands Shag only

None

Little Cormorant only

Conservation Status

Critically Endangered

Chatham Islands Shag

Least Concern

Little Cormorant

About These Birds

Chatham Islands Shag

63 cm. Black and white; orange-red caruncles at bill base. Endemic to Chatham Islands, New Zealand. Critically Endangered; total population fewer than 1,000 birds. Restricted to a few Chatham Islands colonies; feeds on fish and invertebrates in surrounding coastal waters.

Little Cormorant

50–55 cm. Small; all dark glossy black; orange facial skin; short crest in breeding. Widespread across South and Southeast Asia in freshwater lakes, rivers, and estuaries. Feeds on small fish. Commonly seen perched with wings outstretched drying plumage.

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