Yes, there are around 40 different species of cormorants found throughout the world. Cormorants belong to the avian family Phalacrocoracidae. Here are some of the major types of cormorants:
Great Cormorant
The Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) is one of the most widespread members of the cormorant family. It is found throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and parts of Australia. Great Cormorants are large, black waterbirds with long necks, yellow patches on their faces, and hooked bills. They can reach lengths of 90 cm and have a wingspan of up to 160 cm.
Double-crested Cormorant
The Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) is common in North America. It is named for the two small tufts of feathers on its head (the “double crest”). These cormorants are completely black with yellow-orange facial skin. They reach lengths of 70 cm with a 100 cm wingspan. Double-crested Cormorants inhabit freshwater and marine ecosystems across the continent.
Spotted Shag
Spotted Shags (Phalacrocorax punctatus) live around the coasts of Australia and New Zealand. They are medium-sized cormorants with black feathers dotted with white spots. Their V-shaped head pattern is distinctive. Spotted Shags have an average length of 65 cm and wingspan of 95 cm. They nest on rocky cliffs and dive for fish and crustaceans.
Red-faced Cormorant
The Red-faced Cormorant (Phalacrocorax urile) lives along the North Pacific coast. As their name suggests, these cormorants have red facial skin. They have glossy black feathers and bright blue eyes. Red-faced Cormorants reach 60 cm in length with an 85 cm wingspan. They nest in large colonies on remote rocky islands.
Neotropic Cormorant
The Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) lives in Central and South America. They have a slender snake-like neck and bronze-colored feathers. Their facial skin can range from yellow to orange or red. Neotropic Cormorants grow to 75 cm long with a 95 cm wingspan. They are adept at diving to catch fish.
Pelagic Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorants (Phalacrocorax pelagicus) inhabit the northern Pacific coast. They have slender bills and short tails compared to other cormorants. Their plumage is dark blackish-brown. Pelagic Cormorants average 55 cm long with an 80 cm wingspan. They nest on rocky islands and feed on small fish.
Little Black Cormorant
The Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris) lives in Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Indonesia. As their name implies, these are small, all-black cormorants. They have greenish eyes and reach lengths of only 45 cm with a 65 cm wingspan. Little Black Cormorants forage in shallow waters for fish and crustaceans.
Little Pied Cormorant
The Little Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax melanoleucos) is found across Australia and parts of Indonesia. They have black upperparts and wings contrasted with white underparts. Their bill is long and slender. Little Pied Cormorants average 55 cm long with an 85 cm wingspan. They dive from the surface to catch small fish, shrimp, and aquatic insects.
Types by Region
The major types of cormorants can be grouped by region:
| Region | Major Cormorant Species |
|---|---|
| Europe/Asia | Great Cormorant, Pygmy Cormorant, Indian Cormorant |
| Africa | Great Cormorant, Long-tailed Cormorant, Reed Cormorant |
| North America | Double-crested Cormorant, Neotropic Cormorant |
| South America | Neotropic Cormorant, Rock Shag, Imperial Shag |
| Australia/New Zealand | Little Pied Cormorant, Spotted Shag, Little Black Cormorant |
| North Pacific | Pelagic Cormorant, Red-faced Cormorant |
Habitats and Behaviors
Most cormorants are coastal rather than inland birds. They inhabit shorelines, estuaries, lakes, and rivers. Cormorants are expert divers, thanks to their streamlined bodies and powerful webbed feet. They pursue small fish underwater by propelling through the water with their feet. While their plumage is not waterproof, cormorants are able to dry their feathers efficiently once out of the water.
Cormorants are social birds that nest in groups called colonies. They build nests out of sticks and vegetation either on the ground or on cliffs. Courtship and pair bonding rituals like duet calls, gift-giving, and elaborate displays take place at nesting sites. Female cormorants lay an average of 3-5 eggs per clutch.
Evolution and Relationships
The earliest cormorant fossils date back over 45 million years to the Eocene. Primitive cormorant ancestors likely evolved in Gondwana, which later separated into the modern continents of the Southern Hemisphere. All modern cormorants descend from the single genus Phalacrocorax.
Cormorants belong to the order Suliformes, along with gannets, boobies, frigatebirds, and anhingas. Their closest relatives are the anhingas, which they share many similarities with. However, cormorants lack the anhinga’s specialized stiff tail feathers. Cormorants and anhingas make up the family Phalacrocoracidae.
Threats and Conservation
While none are globally threatened, several cormorant species have declining populations, including the Red-faced Cormorant, Yellow-eyed Cormorant, and Bank Cormorant. Threats include habitat loss, pollution, overfishing of their prey, and conflicts with fisheries. Some species are hunted for food and feathers in parts of their range.
Protecting coastal wetland habitats and limiting pollution is important for cormorant conservation. Public education can help reduce persecution by fishers. Several endangered Chinese cormorants benefit from coordinated captive breeding and release programs.
Conclusion
Cormorants display an incredible diversity across the world’s coastlines and waterways. From tiny pygmy cormorants to giant flightless cormorants, they have adapted to habitats from the Arctic to the subantarctic. While they play important roles as predators and ecosystem engineers in aquatic environments, they also have complex relationships with human fisheries. Protecting the world’s threatened cormorant species will require balancing conservation needs with the concerns of local communities.
