Pygmy Cormorant

Description:

Pygmy Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmeus) is one of the 36 species belonging to Phalacoracidae family. It is the smallest species of the family, 45-55 cm long with a wingspan of 80-90 cm. Its body is black and its head is brown. It has a long tail and a small head and bill. It lays 3-6 eggs in spring and both parents incubate them alternatively for 27-30 days. Nestlings become independent after 70 days. The species is listed as endangered according to the Greek Red Book, it is included in Appendix I of 79/409/EEC Directive for the protection of birds and their habitats, and it is also stated as a Globally Almost Endangered species.

Habitat:

It lives in wetlands with still or slowly flowing fresh water and more rarely, at winter, in coastal wetlands. It breeds in colonies on reedbeds or dense trees, alone or along with herons, Cormorants, Spoonbils, etc. It feeds on small fish and rarely on small aquatic mammals and molluscs, caught with dives.

Notes:

It lays 3-6 eggs in spring and both parents incubate them alternatively for 27-30 days. Nestlings become independent after 70 days. The species is listed as endangered according to the Greek Red Book, it is included in Appendix I of 79/409/EEC Directive for the protection of birds and their habitats, and it is also stated as a Globally Almost Endangered species.