Photo: Nepenthes / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Socotra Cormorant
Phalacrocorax nigrogularis
Socotra Cormorant (Phalacrocorax nigrogularis) — Seabirds & Tubenoses of Europe & Northern Asia.
The Socotra Cormorant (Phalacrocorax nigrogularis) is a member of the Phalacrocoracidae family found in Africa and Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 1.6 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Suliformes
- Family Phalacrocoracidae Cormorants, Shags
- Genus Phalacrocorax
- Species nigrogularis
Where it lives
Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea (off Oman), Gulf of Aden, Socotra and perhaps Red Sea (off Eritrea)
Quick facts
- Weight
- 1.6 kg
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Phalacrocoracidae
- Order
- Suliformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Critically Endangered
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Socotra Cormorant hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of open sea and coastal waters, it swims and feeds in and around water.
Migration
The Socotra Cormorant is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Socotra Cormorant (Phalacrocorax nigrogularis) is a species of bird in the Phalacrocoracidae family, part of the order Suliformes. It occurs naturally across Africa and Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL, AF Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea (off Oman), Gulf of Aden, Socotra and perhaps Red Sea (off Eritrea).
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1.6 kg, with a wing length of about 28.3 cm and a tail of around 9.2 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 172,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Socotra Cormorant?
The Socotra Cormorant is a very large bird that weighs around 1.6 kg.
Where does the Socotra Cormorant live?
The Socotra Cormorant is found across Africa and Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL, AF Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea (off Oman), Gulf of Aden, Socotra and perhaps Red Sea (off Eritrea), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Socotra Cormorant belong to?
The Socotra Cormorant (Phalacrocorax nigrogularis) belongs to the Phalacrocoracidae family, in the order Suliformes.
What does the Socotra Cormorant eat?
The Socotra Cormorant hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Socotra Cormorant migrate?
The Socotra Cormorant is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Socotra Cormorant endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the Socotra Cormorant make?
1 real field recording of the Socotra 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 Socotra Cormorant's range?
The Socotra Cormorant has a mapped global range of about 172,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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