Great Cormorant vs European Shag

Phalacrocorax carbo verglichen mit Gulosus aristotelis

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Merkmal Great Cormorant European Shag
Wissenschaftlicher Name Phalacrocorax carbo Gulosus aristotelis
Ordnung Suliformes Suliformes
Familie Phalacrocoracidae Phalacrocoracidae
Erhaltungsstatus Least Concern Least Concern
Länge 90,0 cm (35.4 in)
Flügelspannweite 145,0 cm (57.1 in) 52,5 cm (20.7 in)
Gewicht 2600,0 g (91.71 oz) 1777,25 g (62.69 oz)
Ernährung Fish caught by diving from the surface. Pursues prey underwater using powerful feet for propulsion. … --
Gelegegröße 1-7 1-6
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
Great Cormorant 90,0 cm
European Shag
Flügelspannweite
Great Cormorant 145,0 cm
European Shag 52,5 cm
Gewicht
Great Cormorant 2600,0 g
European Shag 1777,25 g
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Habitat Comparison

Gemeinsame Lebensräume

Great Cormorant only

European Shag only

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Great Cormorant

Coasts, estuaries, lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. Nests in colonies in trees, on cliffs, or on the ground.

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Song & Call Comparison

Great Cormorant

Gesang

Deep, guttural grunts and 'karrr' calls at colonies. Bill-clicking and hissing in threat displays. Silent at sea. Colonial noise can be deafening during the breeding season.

European Shag

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Geographic Range & Migration

Great Cormorant

Very wide range across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australasia. One of the most widespread cormorant species.

European Shag

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Erhaltungsstatus

Least Concern

Great Cormorant

Least Concern

European Shag

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How to Tell Them Apart

Great Cormorant

Gefieder

All black with a bronze-green gloss. White throat patch and white thigh patches in breeding season. Yellow-orange face patch around the bill base.

Schnabel

Long, hooked, dark bill with a yellow gape

European Shag

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About These Birds

Great Cormorant

The great cormorant is one of the most widespread seabirds in the world. Unlike most waterbirds, cormorants lack fully waterproof plumage, leading to the iconic pose of standing with wings spread open to dry. In Asia, cormorants have been used by fishermen to catch fish for over a thousand years.

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.

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Related Comparisons

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