Double-crested Cormorant vs Noctule

Phalacrocorax auritus compared with Nyctalus noctula

Key Differences

• Double-crested Cormorant is Least Concern while Noctule is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Double-crested Cormorant	Noctule
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Aves (Birds)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Suliformes (Suliformes)	Chiroptera (Bats)
Family	Phalacrocoracidae	Vespertilionidae
Genus	Phalacrocorax	Nyctalus
Species	Phalacrocorax auritus	Nyctalus noctula

Evolutionary Relationship

Double-crested Cormorant and Noctule share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Double-crested Cormorant

LC — Least Concern

Noctule

VU — Vulnerable

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Double-crested Cormorant	Noctule
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Double-crested Cormorant

Habitat

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

Range

Widely distributed across Europe (5 countries), North America (United States), and South America (Colombia).

Noctule

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found across Europe (6 countries). Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Double-crested Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 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.

Noctule

Noctule (Nyctalus noctula) is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List. Facing a high risk of endangerment in the wild, with declining populations and increasing habitat pressure.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 2 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇳🇴 Norway