Photo: Martin Mecnarowski (http://www.photomecan.eu/) / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Pygmy Cormorant
Microcarbo pygmaeus
Pygmy Cormorant (Microcarbo pygmaeus) — Seabirds & Tubenoses of Europe & Northern Asia.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Pygmy Cormorant (Microcarbo pygmaeus) is a member of the Phalacrocoracidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 676 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Suliformes
- Family Phalacrocoracidae Cormorants, Shags
- Genus Microcarbo
- Species pygmaeus
Where it lives
Inland southeastern Europe to central Asia: northeastern Italy and northeastern Austria to central Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and eastern Iraq
Quick facts
- Weight
- 676 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Phalacrocoracidae
- Order
- Suliformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Pygmy Cormorant hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it swims and feeds in and around water.
Migration
The Pygmy Cormorant is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Pygmy Cormorant (Microcarbo pygmaeus) is a member of the Phalacrocoracidae family, within the order Suliformes. It is found across Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL inland se Europe to c Asia: ne Italy and ne Austria to c Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and e Iraq.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 676 g, with a wing length of about 20.1 cm and a tail of around 14.2 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 617,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Pygmy Cormorant?
The Pygmy Cormorant is a large bird that weighs around 676 g.
Where does the Pygmy Cormorant live?
The Pygmy Cormorant is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL inland se Europe to c Asia: ne Italy and ne Austria to c Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and e Iraq, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Pygmy Cormorant belong to?
The Pygmy Cormorant (Microcarbo pygmaeus) belongs to the Phalacrocoracidae family, in the order Suliformes.
What does the Pygmy Cormorant eat?
The Pygmy Cormorant hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Pygmy Cormorant migrate?
The Pygmy Cormorant is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Pygmy Cormorant endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Pygmy Cormorant make?
1 real field recording of the Pygmy Cormorant — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Pygmy Cormorant's range?
The Pygmy Cormorant has a mapped global range of about 617,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Phalacrocoracidae
Endangered
Least Concern
Endangered
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
More in Seabirds & Tubenoses
Least Concern
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Endangered