Pygmy Cormorant vs Spotted Shag
Microcarbo pygmaeus compared with Phalacrocorax punctatus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Pygmy Cormorant | Spotted Shag |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Microcarbo pygmaeus | Phalacrocorax punctatus |
| Order | Suliformes | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 40.2 cm (15.8 in) | 48.2 cm (19.0 in) |
| Weight | 693.3333333333334 g (24.46 oz) | 1211.6666666666667 g (42.74 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-8 | 2-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Pygmy Cormorant
Least Concern
Spotted Shag
About These Birds
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.
Spotted Shag
70 cm. Spotted brown and white upperparts in breeding; pale below; blue orbital ring; yellow feet. Endemic to New Zealand coast and offshore islands. Feeds on fish and invertebrates in coastal kelp beds. Near Threatened; nests on cliff ledges.