Common Kingfisher vs Great Cormorant
Alcedo atthis comparé à Phalacrocorax carbo
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Common Kingfisher | Great Cormorant |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Alcedo atthis | Phalacrocorax carbo |
| Ordre | Coraciiformes | Suliformes |
| Famille | Alcedinidae | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Statut de conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Longueur | 17,0 cm (6.7 in) | 90,0 cm (35.4 in) |
| Envergure | 25,0 cm (9.8 in) | 145,0 cm (57.1 in) |
| Poids | 36,0 g (1.27 oz) | 2600,0 g (91.71 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Small fish, aquatic insects, and crustaceans. Hunts from a low perch over water, diving headfirst … | Fish caught by diving from the surface. Pursues prey underwater using powerful feet for propulsion. … |
| Taille de la couvée | 3-10 | 1-7 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Habitats partagés
Common Kingfisher only
Great Cormorant only
Aucun(e)
Common Kingfisher
Clear, slow-flowing rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds with suitable perching and nesting banks. Requires clean water with good fish populations.
Great Cormorant
Coasts, estuaries, lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. Nests in colonies in trees, on cliffs, or on the ground.
Song & Call Comparison
Common Kingfisher
A sharp, penetrating 'chee' whistle given in flight, often the first indication of its presence. Short, shrill single note as it darts low over rivers. Contact call is a rippling …
Great Cormorant
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.
Geographic Range & Migration
Common Kingfisher
Widespread across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Northern populations migrate south in winter.
Great Cormorant
Very wide range across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australasia. One of the most widespread cormorant species.
Statut de conservation
Common Kingfisher
Great Cormorant
How to Tell Them Apart
Common Kingfisher
Brilliant electric blue upperparts and orange underparts. Blue-green crown with darker barring. White throat patch and cheek spots. A flash of blue in flight.
Long, straight, dagger-like dark bill — orange base on the lower mandible in females
Great Cormorant
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.
Long, hooked, dark bill with a yellow gape
About These Birds
Common Kingfisher
The common kingfisher is a dazzling jewel of waterways, its iridescent blue plumage caused by light refraction in the feather structure rather than pigment. These birds inspired the design of the Shinkansen bullet train in Japan — the shape of their bill was copied to reduce sonic booms when trains exit tunnels.
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.