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Great Cormorant

Phalacrocorax carbo

Least Concern (IUCN Red List)Cormorants and Shags
Great Cormorant, photographed by Daniil Komov

Photo: Daniil Komov 路 Unsplash 路 Unsplash License (licence)

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Call and song

About the Great Cormorant

Large cormorant found nearly worldwide. Note large size, white patch on throat, and lack of crest. Breeding adults show circular white patch on flanks. Immatures typically have contrasting white belly; African "White-breasted" also has extensive white underparts in all plumages. Often spotted standing on rocks or pilings. Dives frequently, feeding on fish. Found in many types of water bodies, ranging from rivers to reservoirs to marine environments; in North America, restricted to coastal North Atlantic.

Species account: eBird.org, fetched 2025-12-26 路 How these pages are made

Where it has been recorded

Recorded in 151 of the 253 countries we have eBird lists for. Each opens that country's checklist.

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