Great Cormorant vs Northern Cardinal
Phalacrocorax carbo comparé à Cardinalis cardinalis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Great Cormorant | Northern Cardinal |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Phalacrocorax carbo | Cardinalis cardinalis |
| Ordre | Suliformes | Passeriformes |
| Famille | Phalacrocoracidae | Cardinalidae |
| Statut de conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Longueur | 90,0 cm (35.4 in) | 22,0 cm (8.7 in) |
| Envergure | 145,0 cm (57.1 in) | 30,0 cm (11.8 in) |
| Poids | 2600,0 g (91.71 oz) | 44,0 g (1.55 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Fish caught by diving from the surface. Pursues prey underwater using powerful feet for propulsion. … | Seeds, grains, fruits, and insects. Especially fond of sunflower seeds at bird feeders. Feeds mainly … |
| Taille de la couvée | 1-7 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Habitats partagés
Aucun(e)
Great Cormorant only
Northern Cardinal only
Great Cormorant
Coasts, estuaries, lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. Nests in colonies in trees, on cliffs, or on the ground.
Northern Cardinal
Woodland edges, thickets, gardens, and suburban areas. Prefers dense shrubby habitats for nesting.
Song & Call Comparison
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.
Northern Cardinal
Loud, clear whistled phrases: 'cheer-cheer-cheer' and 'birdy-birdy-birdy'. Both male and female sing; female song is softer. Alarm is a sharp metallic 'chink'.
Geographic Range & Migration
Great Cormorant
Very wide range across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australasia. One of the most widespread cormorant species.
Northern Cardinal
Eastern and central North America from southern Canada to Mexico and Guatemala. Expanding range northward.
Statut de conservation
Great Cormorant
Northern Cardinal
How to Tell Them Apart
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
Northern Cardinal
Males are brilliant crimson red overall with a black face mask. Females are warm buffy brown with reddish tinges on wings, crest, and tail.
Thick, conical, bright orange-red bill
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.
Northern Cardinal
The northern cardinal is the state bird of seven US states, more than any other species. Unlike many songbirds, both males and females sing, often in duets. Cardinals do not migrate and their brilliant red plumage against winter snow makes them a favorite among backyard birdwatchers.