Cormorants are a diverse group of aquatic birds that can be found in both salt-water and fresh-water habitats across the globe. These birds have long, slender necks and webbed feet that enable them to swim and dive with ease.
They have a wide range of feeding habits, from catching fish to scavenging for insects and crustaceans.
Cormorants have been around for millions of years and have adapted to a variety of habitats, from oceans and seas to rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
As a result of their adaptability, cormorants have survived to this day and can be found in many parts of the world.
1. Great Cormorant
The Great Cormorant is a large seabird belonging to the cormorant family. It has many names, including Black Shag in New Zealand and Large Cormorant in India.
Its striking black feathers make it easy to recognise along coastlines or near bodies of water. The bird can measure up to 1 metre long with a wingspan of around two metres and weighs roughly 3 kilograms.
In flight, its neck is stretched out straight ahead while its bill points downwards – an unmistakable sight for any keen observer.
Cormorants are strong swimmers and excellent divers, frequently going underwater in search of food such as fish or crustaceans that they scavenge from the ocean floor.
They live primarily on coasts but have also been seen inland where there are suitable waterways available – providing another opportunity for nature lovers hoping to catch a glimpse of this impressive species.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Phalacrocorax |
| Species | P. carbo |
2. Double-Crested Cormorant
The double-crested cormorant is a majestic bird with an impressive wingspan, found across North America from the Aleutian Islands all the way down to Mexico.
Its black plumage stands out against its bright orange-yellow facial skin and some extended patches of white feathers on each side of its throat.
It measures between 28 – 35 inches in length and has webbed feet that enable it to swim gracefully through rivers and lakes, as well as coastal areas.
These birds are known for their voracious appetite for fish, sometimes diving over 100 ft deep into water looking for food.
Despite this reputation they also feed on crustaceans, amphibians and insects when available.
Cormorants have been part of many cultures throughout history due to their remarkable ability to fly long distances making them valued messengers or companions during fishing expeditions at sea.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Nannopterum |
| Species | N. auritum |
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3. Pelagic Cormorant
The pelagic cormorant, also known as Baird’s cormorant or violet-green cormorant, is a small member of the Phalacrocoracidae family and is often referred to as the Pelagic Shag.
It inhabits coastal areas and open oceans throughout Northern Pacific regions. These birds are relatively small in size with a dark greyish body and bright blue eyes which can be seen from far away distances.
Their wingspan extends up to two feet wide allowing them to glide through air currents at rapid speeds while they hunt fish for food.
They have an impressive diving ability that allows them to plunge underwater depths reaching 30 meters deep.
The pelagic cormorants are quite social creatures who live together in large flocks during both summer and winter months providing safety in numbers when hunting prey beneath the waves of their ocean home.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Urile |
| Species | U. pelagicus |
4. Neotropic Cormorant
The Neotropic Cormorant, also known as the Olivaceous Cormorant, is a medium-sized bird found in tropical and subtropical regions of Central America, South America and the United States.
It can be identified by its black body with bright yellow facial skin on both sides of its large bill. The tail feathers are short and squared off at the tip.
This species breeds mainly on coasts but will sometimes nest inland near rivers or lakes during certain parts of their life cycle.
They feed mostly on small fish caught while diving underwater but can also eat crustaceans, amphibians and insects.
These birds roost in trees at night to keep safe from predators like foxes which prey upon them when they sleep close to water sources during daylight hours.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Nannopterum |
| Species | N. brasilianum |
5. Brandt’s Cormorant
Brandt’s cormorant is a seabird of the Cormorant family that inhabits the Pacific coast of North America.
In summer, it can be found from Alaska to Gulf of California but its population northwards migrate south during winter season.
Its name Penicillatus originates from Latin which means painter’s brush referring to its white plumes on head and neck.
It feeds mainly on small fish like herring, anchovy etc., diving up to 30 m deep for food catch in cold water near shorelines or at sea around offshore islands or continental shelfs.
They breed along rocky shoresline building nests out of seaweed and sticks close together in colonies numbering into hundreds while producing two eggs per year with incubation period lasting 25-35 days before chicks fledge after seven weeks post hatching.
Brandt’s cormorants are considered an important species as they help maintain balance between marine predators and prey by controlling populations through their diet habits .Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Urile |
| Species | U. penicillatus |
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6. European Shag
The European shag, or common shag, is a species of cormorant found in western and southern Europe, southwest Asia and north Africa. It usually winters in its breeding range except for the northernmost birds.
The bird has an unmistakable look with it’s greenish blue feathers on top of its head while having white underparts along with some black stripes over them.
Its long neck helps distinguish it from other cormorants as well as provide great sight while searching for food beneath the sea surface.
This seabird mainly feeds off fish but also eats crustaceans occasionally when available near their nesting grounds which are usually located around rocky coastlines close to open water bodies like seas and oceans.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Gulosus Montagu, 1813 |
| Species | G. aristotelis |
7. Australian Pied Cormorant
The Australian pied cormorant is a medium-sized member of the cormorant family and can be found around the coasts of Australasia.
It’s distinctive plumage features black feathers on its head, back, wings and tail with some white patches in between.
Its face has yellow skin that becomes bright orange when breeding season begins. The bird uses it’s webbed feet to swim through water searching for food such as fish or small crustaceans which make up most of their diet.
They often hunt by diving underwater from where they can stay submerged for about 30 seconds before resurfacing again for air.
During these dives they are able to travel depths up to 15 meters down.
This species also forms colonies when mating season comes around and will nest together in tall trees near shorelines or other bodies of water so that fishing is easier within reach during this time period every year.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Phalacrocorax |
| Species | P. varius |
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8. Red-Faced Cormorant
The Red-faced Cormorant is a species of bird from the Phalacrocoracidae family. It can be found in Japan, Korea, the Kuril Islands, Kamchatka Peninsula and Aleutian Arc to Alaska’s Gulf of Alaska.
The bird was formally described by German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1789.
This medium sized seabird has black feathers with an orange face and throat patch above its bill along with light green eyes that stand out against its dark head plumage.
During breeding season they will gather together on cliffs or nesting colonies close to rocky shores where they build nests using seaweed twigs or grasses lined with downy material taken from their body feathers for insulation purposes.
They feed mainly on fish but also take crustaceans as well as small squid when available during certain times of year.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Urile |
| Species | U. urile |
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9. Little Black Cormorant
The little black cormorant is a small seabird of the cormorant family that is commonly found in rivers, lakes and coastal areas throughout Australia and New Zealand.
It has an all-black colouring with blue-green eyes and grows to about sixty centimetres long. This species was formally described by German ornithologist Johann Jakob Kaup in 1837 as Phalacrocorax sulcirostris.
The little black cormorant feeds on insects, fish and crustaceans which it captures underwater, diving up to two metres deep for around twenty seconds at a time.
They are known for their large breeding colonies where they build nests out of twigs or seaweed near water bodies like sandbanks or rocky cliffsides.
Little black cormorants can also be seen perching atop rocks drying off after swimming or preening themselves while perched low over the water’s surface.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Phalacrocorax |
| Species | P. sulcirostris |
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10. White-Breasted Cormorant
The White-breasted Cormorant is a species of cormorant closely related to the Great Cormorant. It stands out from other members of its family with its white breast and freshwater habitats.
This bird can be found in parts of Central Asia, Southeast Asia, India, China and Japan. They are primarily fish eaters but also feed on small crustaceans and amphibians.
The White-breasted Cormorants have an overall size between 72cm – 81 cm lengthwise as well as a wingspan ranging between 115cm – 148 cm respectively making them quite large birds when compared to their fellow cormorant relatives.
Their feathers range from dark brown/black colors while their necks host distinctive white feathering which makes this particular species easily distinguishable among others in the same habitat.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Phalacrocorax |
| Species | P. lucidus |
11. Flightless Cormorant
The Flightless Cormorant is a unique species of bird found exclusively on the Galapagos Islands.
It’s one of the most remarkable animals there, as it’s the only known cormorant that has lost its ability to fly due to evolutionary pressures in this isolated environment.
The Flightless Cormorant has an impressive wingspan and strong webbed feet for swimming, but these adaptations are not enough for flight.
Its diet consists mainly of fish caught from coastal waters near its nesting sites, which it dives into with great skill and agility despite being unable to take off from land or water.
This majestic creature stands out among other birds on the islands and can be distinguished by its black feathers, white throat patches, yellow facial skin around their eyes, and bright blue gular pouch under their chin used during courtship displays.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Nannopterum |
| Species | N. harrisi |
12. Black-Faced Cormorant
The Black-faced cormorant is a medium sized member of the cormorant family. It has an unmistakable black face, bill and upperparts which contrast wonderfully with its white underparts.
Endemic to coastal regions in southern Australia it can be seen aquatic bird roosting on rocky shores or perched atop trees near water bodies such as lakes, rivers and bays.
Its long hooked bill, webbed feet and powerful wings make it well adapted for diving underwater to hunt fish – their primary source of food.
With strong parental bonds they are often found nesting together in groups along cliffs or tree lined riverbanks helping each other raise their young ones until adulthood when they eventually leave the colony to fend for themselves.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Phalacrocorax |
| Species | P. fuscescens |
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13. Indian Cormorant
The Indian Cormorant is a beautiful bird found in the inland waters of India, stretching from Sind to Thailand and Cambodia.
It belongs to the cormorant family and has an unmistakable blue eye which sets it apart from other birds like its size-similar little cormorant.
The head is small with sloping forehead while there’s a long narrow neck connecting it to its body.
These birds are gregarious by nature, usually seen together in groups near water bodies or on land banks closeby.
They have powerful webbed feet for swimming as well as diving under water for their food – mainly fish along with some aquatic invertebrates and frogs too.
All these features make this species truly unique so keep your eyes peeled if you’re lucky enough spot them.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Phalacrocorax |
| Species | P. fuscicollis |
14. Reed Cormorant
The Reed Cormorant is a beautiful bird belonging to the cormorant family, Phalacrocoracidae. It breeds in Africa south of the Sahara and Madagascar and can often be seen making seasonal movements.
The German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin first described this species in 1789 as part of his expansion on Carl Linnaeus’ work.
They are easily identifiable with their long tail feathers that reach up to 15 cm in length.
They also have distinctive black plumage covering most of its body except for white patches around its eyes, neck and chin area which give it an attractive look.
Moreover, they feed mainly on animals such as fish but sometimes may consume other aquatic creatures like frogs or even carrion too.
All-in-all these birds make amazing additions to any ecosystem due to their unique beauty and adaptability skills.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Microcarbo |
| Species | M. africanus |
15. Cape Cormorant
The Cape cormorant, or Cape shag, is an endemic bird found on the southwestern coasts of Africa. They breed in Namibia and Western Cape with their nonbreeding season extending as far north as Congo’s coast and east to Mozambique.
Their population was estimated at over 1 million individuals in the 1970s due to its wide range across African waters but has since decreased significantly.
It is a medium-sized seabird that can be recognized by its black feathers highlighted by white specks around its neck area along with yellow webbed feet.
Its diet consists primarily of small fish caught from shorelines or close above water surfaces which it dives for after spotting prey from up high in coastal cliffs near breeding colonies located there during nesting seasons between October – April each year.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Phalacrocorax |
| Species | P. capensis |
16. Little Pied Cormorant
The Little Pied Cormorant, also known as the Little Shag or Kawaupaka, is a common waterbird found in many parts of Australasia.
This small cormorant typically has black and white plumage with a short bill.
It can be seen along coasts and islands, estuaries, inland waters and around the Southwestern Pacific Islands.
The species lives off fish which it catches by diving underwater to depths of up to 9 metres; they are often seen perched on rocks preening their feathers after returning from fishing trips.
In Australia they roost communally during winter months in large groups near food sources such as rivers or wetlands – these gatherings can number over 500 birds.
Although widespread across its range this species is threatened by habitat destruction due to human development activities so conservation efforts should remain high priority for its future survivalScientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Microcarbo |
| Species | M. melanoleucos |
17. Bank Cormorant
The Bank Cormorant is a bird endemic to Namibia and the western seaboard of South Africa, living in coastal waters up to 15 km offshore.
It has a large body measuring 75 cm long with black feathers that have a bronze sheen.
Its head features bright yellow eyes and an orange-yellow bill that curves downwards slightly at the tip.
The underside of its wings are white while its feet have black webbed toes for swimming gracefully through water bodies like lakes, rivers and lagoons where it searches for fish on which it feeds heavily as part of its diet.
This bird also flaps their wing rapidly when drying them after coming out from fishing activities or during bathing sessions inside water bodies.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Phalacrocorax |
| Species | P. neglectus |
18. Guanay Cormorant
Guanay cormorant is a species of bird belonging to the cormorant family. It is found on the coasts of Peru and northern Chile, stretching southwards all the way to southern parts of Chile and north up to Ecuador.
There have even been records as far away as Panama and Colombia. They breed in large colonies near coastal areas which provide plenty of food for them such as fish, small crustaceans or other marine life.
Guanays are large birds with black feathers that become glossy blue-green when wet from swimming in their aquatic hunting grounds.
Their long neck allows them to dive deep below water searching for prey using its webbed feet like paddles.
A unique feature about these birds is that they use guano (their own droppings) build nests made out of mud, seaweed or sticks high above cliffs so predators can’t reach them easily.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Leucocarbo |
| Species | L. bougainvilliorum |
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19. Little Cormorant
The Little Cormorant is a small yet distinctive member of the cormorant family. It has a shorter beak and lacks the peaked head seen in its relative, the Indian Cormorant.
This bird can be found across much of India, as well as extending east down to Java – where it’s sometimes called Javanese Cormorant.
These birds are usually solitary or travel in loose flocks while they search for food around lowland freshwater bodies like lakes and rivers.
They mostly eat fish but will occasionally feed on amphibians, invertebrates or crustaceans too.
The Little Cormorants’ plumage is generally dark grey with white patches on their wings which makes them stand out against other seabirds when flying high above water surfaces searching for prey below.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Microcarbo |
| Species | M. niger |
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20. Socotra Cormorant
The Socotra cormorant is a threatened species of bird endemic to the Persian Gulf and south-east coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It has also been sighted in the Red Sea, although it is not known to breed there.
The bird has grey feathers with white patches on its wings, neck and tail tip. Its beak and throat are black while its face and legs are yellowish-white.
Despite being named for Socotra Island (Yemen), where it used to live before becoming endangered due to hunting, nesting destruction by humans and predation by feral cats; it was only confirmed in 2005 that this species breeds here again today.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Phalacrocorax |
| Species | P. nigrogularis |
21. Crowned Cormorant
The Crowned Cormorant is a small bird endemic to the cold Benguela Current of southern Africa. It inhabits exclusively coastal areas and never strays more than 10 kilometers away from land.
Though closely related, it was formerly considered the same species as the Reed Cormorant. This cormorant can be found along the African coast from Cape Agulhas in South Africa up north to Swakopmund in Namibia.
Its feathers are black with white markings on its chest and head, giving it an elegant appearance when seen above water or gliding gracefully through air currents near shorelines looking for food.
The Crowned Cormorant leads a solitary life but forms large flocks during breeding season when they come together to feed their young ones before heading off again into individual pursuits until next year’s mating cycle begins anew.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Microcarbo |
| Species | M. coronatus |
22. Japanese Cormorant
The Japanese cormorant is a black-bodied bird with a white throat and cheeks and a partially yellow bill. It can be found in the East Palearctic region, ranging from Taiwan to Russia’s Far East.
This species of cormorant has been domesticated by fishermen for centuries as part of their traditional fishing methods; fishers will tie strings around the birds’ necks so that.
They cannot swallow larger fish, allowing them to take only smaller catches back for themselves.
The domesticated birds are also trained to dive more deeply into waters than wild ones would typically do on their own – an invaluable skill when it comes to catching deep-sea prey.
As such, this long-standing tradition between humans and wildlife serves both parties well: humans get food while providing something essential back in return.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Phalacrocorax |
| Species | P. capillatus |
23. Rock Shag
The Rock Shag is an aquatic bird found in the southernmost parts of South America, from Valdivia in Chile to Punta Tombo in Argentina. In winter, some individuals may even reach Santiago, Chile and Uruguay on both coasts.
It has a blackish-brown plumage with white patches around its wings and neck area. Its beak is hooked at the end and it also features yellow eyes and legs.
The Rock Shag feeds mainly on fish but can also prey upon squid or crustaceans depending on the availability of food sources near their breeding grounds.
They are often seen swimming close to shorelines searching for food while using their feet as paddles.
Their habitat consists mostly of rocky shores with coastal cliffs where they can build nests amongst rocks or trees such as cypresses nearby water bodies like lagoons or estuaries which provide them shelter during high tides when fishing becomes impossible due to strong currents.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Leucocarbo |
| Species | L. magellanicus |
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24. Red-Legged Cormorant
The red-legged cormorant is a species of seabird found along the coastlines of South America. It has an unusual appearance, as its feathers are mostly grey in color and it stands out with long red legs and feet.
Unlike most seabirds, this species lives alone instead of forming colonies. Red-legged cormorants have not been seen engaging in the behavior known as “wing spreading” like other birds do to dry their wings after swimming or flying through water.
Instead, they often sunbathe on rocks or logs during warm weather for hours at a time until their plumage dries off naturally from the heat of the sun’s rays.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Poikilocarbo Boetticher, 1935 |
| Species | P. gaimardi |
25. Spotted Shag
The Spotted Shag (Phalacrocorax punctatus) is an endemic bird of New Zealand. It is a species of cormorant, and for some time was placed in the separate genus Stictocarbo along with its similar relative, the Pitt shag due to its distinctive look.
Genetic studies have shown that it belongs to Phalacrocorax but retains many unique features such as black feathers on most of its body and white spots covering its neck and upper chest area.
Its wings are long compared to other members of this family making them well-suited for flying over large distances at sea or inland lakes.
They feed mainly on small fish which they hunt from both shorelines and open water areas alike.
The spotted shag can be found living around coasts throughout New Zealand’s main islands where their beauty makes them a joyous sight.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Phalacrocorax |
| Species | P. punctatus |
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26. Pitt Shag
The Pitt shag is a species of bird in the Phalacrocoracidae family that can only be found on Pitt Island.
It typically inhabits open seas and rocky shores, but unfortunately its natural habitat is threatened by loss of land due to human activity.
This unique species was discovered in 1871 by H.H Travers and dedicated to JG Featherstone, better known as Featherstone’s Shag or Pitt Island Shag.
The conservation efforts are being made to protect this endangered species so they may continue living their lives peacefully without the threat of extinction looming over them.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Phalacrocorax |
| Species | P. featherstoni |
27. Pygmy Cormorant
The Pygmy Cormorant is a fascinating seabird that belongs to the Phalacrocoracidae family. It breeds in south-eastern Europe and parts of southwestern Asia, with some northern populations migrating further south for winter.
This bird is also an occasional migrant to western Europe, making it quite rare but still sightings can occur.
In terms of its appearance, this species has dark body feathers and lighter wings which contrast against each other nicely when seen from afar or close up.
The beak is slender while the head features glossy black feathers along with bright yellow eyes adding a splash of color amongst its otherwise muted colors.
Its diet consists mainly insects as well as fish which they dive down into shallow waters to capture before taking off again gracefully back into the sky above them.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Microcarbo |
| Species | M. pygmaeus |
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28. New Zealand King Shag
The New Zealand King Shag is a rare bird that’s endemic to the country. It belongs to either Leucocarbo or Phalacrocorax genus, depending on which taxonomic authority you look at.
This species was first documented in 1789 by Joachim Brehm, a German naturalist who described it as being mostly black with red eyes and yellow facial wattles.
Its throat pouch also has an orange-red colouring near its neck area.
The King Shag lives close to sea coasts where they feed mainly on fish, squid and octopus found in shallow waters – meaning they are superb swimmers.
Though their populations have declined over time due to human activities such as fishing nets entangling them, conservation efforts have been increasing so this beautiful bird can remain part of our environment for generations more to come.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Leucocarbo |
| Species | L. carunculatus |
29. Imperial Shag
The Imperial Shag is a black and white cormorant native to southern South America. With its striking blue eyes, it inhabits rocky coastal regions as well as inland lakes.
Depending on the taxonomic authority, this unique bird may also be known as Blue-eyed Shag or Blue-eye.
It can grow up to 70 cm in length with a wingspan of 85 – 95 cm wide and has an overall glossy appearance due to its distinctive feathers that are brownish grey above but pale silvery beneath.
Its diet consists mainly of fish caught from shallow waters using its powerful webbed feet for swimming underwater before bringing them back up for consumption.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Leucocarbo |
| Species | L. atriceps |
30. Campbell Shag
The Campbell shag is a unique bird endemic to the remote island of Campbell. It has an impressive wingspan of 105 cm and can weigh up to 2 kg, making it a medium-sized species.
A predominantly coastal bird, they forage within 10 km of the shoreline in open seas and rocky areas.
Their plumage mainly consists of dark grey feathers with occasional brown tones on their upperparts as well as white around their eyes, chest and neck regions giving them quite a striking appearance despite being rather plain overall.
They breed exclusively on Campbell Island during springtime when both male and female birds build nests out of sticks before laying eggs which are mostly greenish or blue in colour.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Leucocarbo |
| Species | L. campbelli |
31. Auckland Shag
The Auckland shag is a species of cormorant that is native to the Auckland Islands archipelago. It lives in large colonies and feeds mainly on crustaceans and fish.
With approximately 1,000 pairs counted recently, this bird is listed as sedentary. During breeding season it builds nests made up of grasses, twigs and other materials found in its surroundings for sheltering eggs or chicks from predators.
This species has adapted well to living close to human settlements since they are not easily disturbed by people’s presence yet still rely on them for food sources like fishing scraps discarded into the ocean near their nesting sites.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Leucocarbo |
| Species | L. colensoi |
32. Antarctic Shag
The Antarctic shag is a species of cormorant found in the Antarctic. It has many different names such as imperial cormorant, king cormorant, and blue-eyed shag.
The adult bird stands at around 75 to 77 cm tall with a wingspan of 120 cm. Its plumage consists mostly of dark black feathers with white on its face, throat and belly area while having bright blue eyes which can be seen easily from afar.
They feed mainly on small fish but may also eat krill or other crustaceans depending on availability.
These birds are usually observed by themselves when not breeding but tend to form large colonies during mating season for protection against predators like skuas or leopard seals that prey upon them.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Leucocarbo |
| Species | L. bransfieldensis |
33. Bounty Shag
The Bounty Shag is a species of cormorant found only in the remote Subantarctic Bounty Islands, located 670 km southeast of New Zealand.
It has adapted to life on open seas and rocky shores, making it well-suited for its environment.
Its population consists mostly of mature individuals, with 618 counted in 2005.
Although small in size compared to other bird species, the Bounty Shag plays an important role as part of its ecosystem by helping regulate fish populations through predation.
This unique and valuable creature should be protected so that future generations can enjoy its presence within the delicate balance nature provides us with.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Leucocarbo |
| Species | L. ranfurlyi |
34. Spectacled Cormorant
The Spectacled Cormorant is an extinct species of seabird that was once found on Bering Island and other places near the Komandorski Islands and Kamchatka in Russia.
It belongs to the cormorant family, a group of birds known for their ability to dive underwater and catch fish with their feet.
The bird had distinctively spectacles-like markings around its eyes which gave it its name.
Recent evidence revealed that this species’ range may have been much wider than previously thought, as fossils were discovered in 2018 suggesting they inhabited more areas during prehistoric times.
This discovery indicates how drastically our environment has changed since then leading to extinction of certain animals like the Spectacled Cormorant due to human activity such as overfishing or pollution among others.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Urile |
| Species | †U. perspicillatus |
35. Chatham Shag
The Chatham shag is a species of cormorant and shag, endemic to the Chatham Islands in New Zealand. It was formerly placed with its relatives in the genus Phalacrocorax but today it belongs to Leucocarbo.
This beautiful bird has blue eyes and gray-brown feathers that are darker on top than on its belly. Its long tail feathers fan out behind them as they soar through their habitat around coastal waters or rocky islands.
The diet of this agile flier consists mainly of fish, crustaceans, octopuses, squid and other marine invertebrates found near shorelines or shallow sea beds.
With conservation efforts being put into place for these birds; hopefully we will be able to continue watching them gracefully flying over our oceans for many years ahead.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Leucocarbo |
| Species | L. onslowi |
Also Featured In: Endangered Birds of New Zealand,
36. Kerguelen Shag
The Kerguelen shag is a species of cormorant endemic to the isolated Kerguelen Islands in the southern Indian Ocean. It is closely related to its cousin, the imperial shag.
This bird can be found nesting along the coastlines of Grande Terre and other nearby islands such as those in Golfe du Morbihan.
They usually feed by diving into shallow waters for small fish or invertebrates, but they also scavenge food from shoreline rocks or mudflats when necessary.
The female lays one egg per breeding season, which she incubates for about 32 days before hatching occurs.
Despite their remote habitat, these birds are threatened due to human activities like industrial fishing and pollution in their ocean habitats.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Leucocarbo |
| Species | L. verrucosus |
37. Otago Shag
The Otago shag is a species of bird native to coastal areas in New Zealand. It has two distinct plumages: pied, with dark and white feathers, and bronze shags which are entirely dark.
This dimorphic trait makes it unique among other bird species.
The Foveaux Shag or Stewart Island Shag was previously known as the Bronze Shag due to its colouration; however this name now applies exclusively to the Otago population of these birds.
They have an affinity for rocky shorelines where they can feed on fish, crabs and marine worms while nesting on cliffs overlooking the sea.
Their conservation status is currently at ‘At Risk – Recovering’ so hopefully their numbers will continue rising.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Leucocarbo |
| Species | L. chalconotus |
38. South Georgia Shag
The South Georgia shag is a species of marine cormorant native to the sub-Antarctic islands of the South Atlantic Ocean. It has blue eyes, and its plumage coloration is black with brownish tints on its wings and back.
The bird typically measures between 70–90 cm in length, with an average weight of 1 kg. Its diet consists primarily of fish that it catches by diving from the surface into shallow waters, where it can stay submerged for up to 30 seconds at a time while searching for prey.
As well as being found around coastal areas, they are also known to inhabit inland freshwater lakes occasionally during breeding season where they form large colonies.
They have been classified as Near Threatened due their decreasing numbers in some regions due to fishing pressures or pollution affecting their food sources but remain common elsewhere in their rangeScientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Leucocarbo |
| Species | L. georgianus |
39. Foveaux Shag
The Foveaux shag, native to Stewart Island/Rakiura and Foveaux Strait, is a species of the Leucocarbo stewarti family. It was formerly known as the Stewart Island Shag or Bronze Shag in its dark phase.
Until 2016 it had been classified with Otago shags (L chalconotus) into one single species due to similarities between them.
However, mitochondrial analysis indicates that they are two distinct taxa and so have since been separated.
The medium-sized bird has mainly black plumage interspersed with white patches on its wings, neck and belly which vary in size depending on age and sex of the individual bird observed.
They feed mostly on small fish by diving from the surface up to depths of 10 meters during their foraging sessions.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Leucocarbo |
| Species | L. stewarti |
40. Crozet Shag
The Crozet shag is a unique species of marine cormorant found in the South Atlantic Ocean, near three islands: Crozet, Prince Edward and Marion. It has distinct plumage from other birds in its group – blue-eyed shags – which allows it to easily be identified.
This bird prefers shallow waters for feeding purposes and nests on rocky cliffs around these islands.
With an average length of about 76 cm (30 inches) and wingspan between 103–115 cm (41-45 inches), this medium sized sea bird can often be seen soaring over the open ocean in search of food such as fish, squid or crustaceans.
The Crozet shag is considered vulnerable due to loss of habitat caused by human activities; however conservation efforts are being made to protect their population from further decline.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Leucocarbo |
| Species | L. melanogenis |
41. Macquarie Shag
The Macquarie shag is a marine cormorant native to the Southern Ocean island of Macquarie Island.
It belongs to the blue-eyed shags, and has variously been placed in genera Leucocarbo or Notocarbo, though it is most commonly seen in Phalacrocorax.
This species grows up to 70 cm long with blackish upperparts and white underparts. Its wings have white primaries edged with black feathers while its legs are yellowish grey.
In flight, this bird looks like a typical large cormorant but when standing on land it can be recognized by its shorter neck and thicker bill than other similar birds from Australia’s mainland coasts.
Breeding occurs during August – October where pairs build nests using seaweed near boulder beaches around the coastlines of their range which also includes New Zealand’s Auckland Islands as well as Campbell Island.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Leucocarbo |
| Species | L. purpurascens |
42. Australasian Darter
The Australasian Darter, also known as the Australian Darter, is a species of bird in the darter family. It can be found across Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
This large bird has an impressive wingspan between 86-94 cm and weighs up to 2.6 kgs.
First discovered by John Gould in 1847, this long necked creature loves to swim and hunt for food underwater before drying its feathers on tree branches or rocks afterwards – like other Anhingidae species do.
They mainly feed on fish but will eat crustaceans too if they are around. With beautiful black plumage with white markings on their wings and tail these birds stand out from most others due to their unique style when it comes to fishing.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Anhingidae |
| Genus | Anhinga |
| Species | A. novaehollandiae |
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