Types of Cormorants

The great cormorant is one of the most recognizable and widely distributed cormorant species in the world. It measures between up to 40" (102 cm) in length, but this can vary according to subspecies, of which there are at least five. All have shiny black plumage with green and purple highlights. During breeding season, they tend to exhibit white spots at the base of the neck, but the extent can vary according to subspecies.

Although they are now present in Europe, Asia, Australasia, Africa and North America, great cormorants were once in danger of extinction. This is because their incredible hunting skills provided competition for many fisherman who killed them as a means of better securing their own catch. Conservation efforts have fortunately returned population numbers to healthier levels.

They have adapted to both freshwater and saltwater environments, being found in rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters. They can dive to a depth of up to 10 m, lasting as long as 30 seconds per dive. Although they tend to hunt for themselves, they coordinate fishing groups. A characteristic of cormorants is that they beat their wings to dry off their feathers, compensating for the relative lack of waterproof plumage. This helps to improve diving ability.

Discover other types of water birds other than the cormorant in our related article.

The Socotra cormorant is endemic to the Yemeni Socotra Islands, as well as other nearby areas in the Indian Ocean. It is a relatively small type of cormorant measuring approximately 25.6" (65 cm) in length. Its black plumage has metallic blue hues, but its black throat becomes more prominent during the breeding season, a distinctive feature of this species. It inhabits rocky coasts and shallow waters where it finds an abundance of fish and crustaceans.

It is highly dependent on its island environment, making the Socotra cormorant vulnerable to threats such as habitat degradation and human activity. Tourism and overfishing in particular are key existential threats. It is currently listed as a ‘Vulnerable’ species due to its restricted distribution and environmental pressures on its limited habitat.

The next bird on our list of types of cormorants is unique in the cormorant family due to having lost the ability to fly. Also known as the flightless cormorant, the Galapagos cormorant does not dive from the air, but wades into the water to catch its prey. Despite their reduced wing size, they are the heaviest extant species which can weigh up to 11 lb (5 kg).

Loss of flight in the Galapagos cormorant is believed to be due to a lack of predators in its native habitat. Having all of their needs met, they no longer required flight to survive and their wings evolved over time to their present non-functioning state. Despite not allowing for flight, their wings are perfectly adapted for swimming underwater. Its dark plumage contrasts with its bright turquoise eyes.

The flightless cormorant lives on rocky coasts and in mangrove swamps where it finds waters rich in fish, squid and crustaceans. It is an exceptional diver, capable of reaching significant depths to capture prey. Its dependence on the island habitat makes it vulnerable to predation by species introduced by human activity and other changes in the ecosystem, such as those caused by global warming. This species is classified as ‘Vulnerable’.

Discover other types of birds that do not fly in our related guide.

Also known as the blue-eyed cormorant, the imperial cormorant is one of the most controversial types of cormorant in terms of taxonomy. They are a part of a group of cormorants also known as blue-eyed shags, known for their distinct azure-colored eyes. They include other members of the Leucocarbo genus, although not all. These birds are native to southern South America, also being present in parts of the Antarctic.

As depicted in the photo below, its plumage is black and white with metallic blue details and a yellow patch in front of their blue eyes. They are expert at fishing in icy waters, catching fish, crustaceans and other small marine animals at great depths. They prefer to nest in large colonies on rocky cliffs or deserted islands where it builds nests out of algae, mud and other materials. Living in areas remote from human interaction, they are considered of °Least Concern’.

A pied animal is one which displays two distinctive colors, in the case of the Australian pied cormorant these colors are black and white. Native to Australia, New Zealand and their surrounding islands, they have a long bill which is slightly hooked at the end. This is an adaptation for catching fish and other aquatic prey. It is a relatively large type of cormorant with a wingspan of up to 47" (120 cm).

The pied cormorant resides in colonies, choosing trees, cliffs or bushes near water to build their nests out of twigs and seaweed. During the breeding season, these colonies can host hundreds of individuals, highlighting their social nature. Although the species is not currently endangered, it faces local threats such as pollution, habitat destruction and human disturbance at its nesting sites.

In addition to the pied cormorant, learn about other types of New Zealand birds with our related guide.

The white-breasted cormorant is a type of cormorant found in sub-Saharan Africa. It is easily recognizable by its white head and chest, contrasting with its dark body. It measures between 31-39" (80-100 cm) and lives in lakes, rivers and wetlands.

This species is known for its interaction with human communities, as in some places it is used in traditional fishing. Fishermen take advantage of its location skills to catch shoals fish. Its diet includes small fish and occasionally crustaceans. Although its populations are stable, the loss of wetlands represents a threat to its habitat.

Although the different types of cormorants tend to be larger than shags, there is some overlap. This can be seen in one of the smallest types of cormorants, the little cormorant. Native to the Indian subcontinent, it is also sometimes known as the Javanese cormorant. Its plumage is darker during the breeding season when they are known for very gregarious behavior. However, they are generally less social than most other cormorants.

Being around 20" (50 cm) in length, the little cormorant lives up to its name. Their bill has a prominent hook at the tip and they have a short crest on the head. Found across India, Sri Lanka, Laos, Indonesia and other Asian countries, it is known to mainly inhabit freshwater areas. They forage for prey by swimming on top of the water, not diving as much as other types of cormorant.

Brandt's cormorant is a species of the cormorant family that inhabits the coasts of western North America, mainly in areas of California, Baja California and northwestern Mexico. It is of medium size and has a wingspan of up to 47" (120 cm). It is easily recognizable by its dark plumage, with a metallic green sheen. It also has a characteristic tuft of feathers found on the back of its head during the breeding season.

This species inhabits marine and coastal environments, especially those with shallow waters, such as estuaries, bays and rocky areas close to the coast. It nests in colonies on rocky cliffs, islands and trees near the water during breeding season, building nests with branches and plant material.

The double-crested cormorant is common in North America and measures 30–36" (75–90 cm). It also has a prominent crest during the breeding season, as well as a striking orange throat. It inhabits lakes, rivers and coasts, where it feeds on fish, amphibians and crustaceans.

Although it has been perceived as a threat to commercial fishing, it plays an important role in the ecological balance of its habitat. Its populations have grown in recent decades due to conservation policies which favor a return to larger population numbers.

Also known as the Wahlberg's cormorant, this is a cormorant species that mainly inhabits the coasts of southwestern Africa, especially in Namibia and South Africa. This bird has mostly black plumage, with brown tones on the wings and a characteristic white spot on the throat during the breeding season. It prefers to live in rocky coastal areas and close to continental shelves rich in fish such as sardines and anchovies.

The bank cormorant is currently classified as ‘Endangered’ due to declining populations. These are attributed to overfishing, marine pollution and habitat loss. It is also vulnerable to human disturbance in its nesting areas, something which has led to conservation efforts focused on protecting its breeding sites and regulating fishing activities in its environment.

You can discover more about other types of aquatic birds with our guide to the different types of seagulls.

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