Bird Guide

Great Cormorant vs Little Black Cormorant

Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Great Cormorant

Phalacrocorax carbo

Huge2.5 kgWetland

The great cormorant is a large bird, but there is a wide variation in size in the species' wide range. Weight is reported to vary from 1.5 kg (3 lb 5 oz) to 5.3 kg (11 lb 11 oz). Males are typically larger and heavier than females, with the nominate race P. c. carbo averaging about 10% larger in linear measurements than the smaller subspecies P. c. sinensis. The lightest average weights cited are in Germany (P. c. sinensis), where 36 males averaged 2.28 kg (5 lb 1⁄2 oz) and 17 females averaged 1.94 kg (4 lb 4+1⁄2 oz). The highest come from Prince Edward Island in Canada (P. c.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Great Cormorant
Recorded by Sonothèque ADVL · Call · Roche Ango, Chausey, Granville, Manche, Normandie, France · CC0
Photo: Hobbyfotowiki · CC0
Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris)

Little Black Cormorant

Phalacrocorax sulcirostris

Large995 gWetland

The little black cormorant is a small cormorant measuring 60–65 cm (23.5–25.5 in) with all black plumage. The back has a greenish sheen. In breeding season, white feathers appear irregularly about the head and neck, with a whitish eyebrow evident. The plumage is a more fade brown afterwards. Males and females are identical in plumage. The long slender bill is grey, and legs and feet black. The iris of the adult is green and the juvenile brown. Immature birds have brown and black plumage.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: patrickkavanagh · CC BY 2.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Great Cormorant and Little Black Cormorant.