PORT PHILLIP BAY


Pied Cormorant 

Phalacrocorax varius

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

See below for information.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Chordata
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Class:
Aves
Order:
Pelecaniformes
Family:
Phalacrocoracidae
Genus:
Phalacrocorax
Species:
varius

General Description

Upper body black, underparts white. Bill pale yellow-brown. Eye ring blue. Black feathers above the legs. Body up to 75 cm long.

Biology

Pied Cormorants nest in colonies. They catch fish by diving under water.

Habitat

Open freshwater wetlands, swamps and coastal bays.

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

New Zealand and Australia, except Tasmania.

Species Group

Birds Cormorants

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)

Water Column

Above surface

Max Size

75 cm

Diet

Carnivore

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Near Threatened
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Least Concern

Author

article author Longmore, N. W.

Wayne Longmore is a Senior Collection manager of terrestrial vertebrates at Museum Victoria.

Author

article author O'Brien, R.

Rory O'Brien is a Collection Manager of terrestrial vertebrates at Museum Victoria.

citation

Cite this page as:
Longmore, N. W. & O'Brien, R., 2011, Pied Cormorant, Phalacrocorax varius, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 22 Oct 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/7974

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