Cape Cormorant vs Great Cormorant/European Shag

Phalacrocorax capensis compared with Phalacrocorax carbo

Key Differences

Cape Cormorant is Endangered while Great Cormorant/European Shag is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Cape Cormorant	Great Cormorant/European Shag
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Aves (Birds)	Aves (Birds)
Order same	Suliformes (Suliformes)	Suliformes (Suliformes)
Family same	Phalacrocoracidae	Phalacrocoracidae
Genus same	Phalacrocorax	Phalacrocorax
Species	Phalacrocorax capensis	Phalacrocorax carbo

Evolutionary Relationship

Cape Cormorant and Great Cormorant/European Shag share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Phalacrocorax.

View Genus: Phalacrocorax

Conservation Status

Cape Cormorant

EN — Endangered

Great Cormorant/European Shag

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Cape Cormorant	Great Cormorant/European Shag
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Cape Cormorant

Habitat

Typically found in various aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments.

Range

Found in Norway. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Great Cormorant/European Shag

Habitat

Typically found in various aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (Israel), Europe (7 countries), and North America (United States).

Cape Cormorant

The Cape Cormorant (Phalacrocorax capensis) is a species in the genus Phalacrocorax. It is currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in various aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments.

Great Cormorant/European Shag

Great Cormorant/European Shag (Phalacrocorax carbo) is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List. Widespread and abundant across its range, with stable populations and no immediate conservation concerns.