ID Cormorants

Australia is home to five species of cormorant, plus the similar-looking Australasian Darter. This guide helps you tell apart the Black-faced, Great, Little Black, Little Pied, and Pied Cormorant using clear visual differences.

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Black-faced Cormorant

Look for the zig-zag pattern at the start of the Black-faced Cormorant’s bill. You will also notice it has black facial skin and black leg feathers (that some people call “black pants”).

Great Cormorant

Australia’s largest cormorant is easily identified by its size and yellow facial skin. Mature and breeding adults also have a white cheek patch and a white thigh patch.

Little Black Cormorant

This cormorant is easier to identify because all of its feathers are black. It can grow small white flecks on its head during breeding season.

Little Pied Cormorant

Australia’s smallest cormorant is one of our most common water birds. It can be identified by its size, steep forehead, stubby yellow-orange-bill, white leg feathers (which some people call “white pants”) and long wedge-shaped tail.

Pied Cormorant

One of the larger cormorants is identified by its yellow facial skin in front of its eye and its black leg feathers (that are sometimes called “black pants”). You will also noticed its sloped forehead, compared to the steep forehead of the Little Pied Cormorant.

Australasian Darter

The Australasian Darter looks like a cormorant but actually belongs to the Anhinga family of birds (its relatives live overseas). You know you’re looking at a Darter when you see its long, snake-like neck and its straight pointy bill.

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