Facilitating the protection and restoration of species and ecosystems at risk on BC’s South Coast
Double-crested Cormorant
Phalacrocorax auritus
Phalacrocorax
auritus
This member of the family Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags), is part of a unique order found worldwide. Most birds in this order have a bare throat patch (“gular patch”), and the nostrils have evolved into dysfunctional slits, forcing them to breathe through their mouths. Considered a pest in the Great Lakes region of eastern North America, the species is declining in BC.
A large diving bird with a stocky body, long neck and moderately hooked beak. Breeding adults are iridescent, greenish-black with orange-yellow skin on the face and gular patch, eyes are aqua coloured. Juveniles and non-breeding birds are browner in colour. The double crest (“shag”) is only found on adults early in the breeding season.
Download Species Fact Sheet in PDF
Status
Global Status:
G5
Provincial Status:
S3S4
BC List Status:
Blue (Considered to be of Special Concern)
RESOURCES
Implications for Conservation and Management in the 21st Century
For further information see:
A source for authoritative conservation information on thousands of plants and animals and hundreds of ecological communities in BC. From here connect to all provincial and federal recovery plans (including the SARA Registry), COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada), Identified Wildlife guidance and conservation requirements for specific species and ecological communities of conservation concern impacted by forestry activities) and links to E-Flora and E-Fauna (the Electronic Atlas of the Plants and Wildlife of British Columbia).
A joint venture resource providing comprehensive information on a range of species and ecological communities specific to the Coast Region of BC (including the South, Central and North Coast, Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii).
Environmental guidelines for urban and rural land development in BC.
Learn what species are at risk in your area, search by name, habitat type, regional district and forest district.
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