The current trend is to have cormorants and shags in one family, Phalacrocoracidae, and to have the ahningas and darters in another, Phalacrocoracidae. However, these species are very similar so it would not be surprising to have them combined into one family again. A major characteristic that unites them is the lack of an oil gland for waterproofing their wings. Thus cormorants and anhingas are often seen with their wings spread out to dry their feathers.

Cormorants and shags are medium-to-large seabirds. Whether a species is call a cormorant or shag is a matter of local naming preference. They are distributed around the world, except for the central Pacific islands. They range in size from 45-100 cm. The majority have mainly dark plumage, but some species are black and white. Many species have areas of colored skin on the face which can be bright blue, orange, red or yellow. The bill is long, thin, and sharply hooked. Their feet have webbing between all four toes, as in their relatives. They are coastal rather than oceanic birds. All are fish-eaters, dining on small eels, fish, and even water snakes. They dive from the surface. Under water they propel themselves with their feet. [abstracted from Wikipedia]


Genus Phalacrocorax

Cormorant, Brandt's  Phalacrocorax penicillatus   Found: pacific coast of North America
Photographed by: 1)  Mike Baird at Morro Bay,California  2) Alan D. Wilson - South Harbor Jetty, Moss Landing, California
   3) Elaine R. Wilson - Cove Cliffs, San Diego La Jolla Underwater Park (Ecological Reserve), La Jolla, Californi


Cormorant, Double-crested Phalacrocorax auritus   Found: North America and Central America
Photographed by: 1 - 7) Dick Daniels - North Carolina   8) Dick - Lake Okeechobee, Florida
Immature has a white chest



Comorant, Great Phalacrocorax carbo   Found: North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand Photographed by: 1, 2) BS Thurner Hof   3, 4) Dick Daniels - New Zealand   5) Dick - Plettenberg Bay, South Africa  6) Dick - Plettenberg Bay



Cormorant, Neotropic Phalacrocorax brasilianus   Found: The Americas
Photographed by: 1) Hans Hillewaert - Costa Rica  2, 3) Dario Sanches  - Brazil    4) Claudio Timm - Brazil


Cormorant, Pelagic  aka  Baird's Cormorant  Phalacrocorax pelagicus  Found: North America
Photographed by: 1) Kevin Cole - Morro Rock on the Pacific Coast of USA  2, 3) Dick Daniels - Kachemak Bay, Alaska


Cormorant, Red-faced  Phalacrocorax urile  Found: far north Pacific - North America, Asia
Photographed by: 1) Budd Christman - Alaska   2) USFWS






Anhingas and cormorants are extremely similar as regards their body and leg skeletons. But unlike the cormorants, anhingas typically inhabit fresh water lakes, rivers, marshes, swamps, and are less often found near salt water. They have completely webbed feet, and their legs are short and set far back on the body. The males have black and dark brown plumage, a short erectile crest on the nape and a larger bill than the female. The females have a much paler plumage, and are a bit larger overall.


Genus Anhinga

Anhinga  Anhinga anhinga   Found: The Americas
Photographed by: 1) Dick Daniels - Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel Island, Florida
      2, 3) Dick - Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge    4, 5) Dick - Jacksonville, Florida