The Pygmy Cormorant, scientific name Microcarbo pygmaeus, is a small waterbird that belongs to the cormorant family. It is a monotypic species, meaning it is the only member of its genus.
These fascinating birds are found in southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia, specifically breeding in wetlands with fresh water such as coastal deltas and well-vegetated lakes. Known for their proportional body, the Pygmy Cormorant has a long tail, short neck, and a square beak.
With striking black feathers that have a dark green or brownish shine, the Pygmy Cormorant may also have tiny white tufts on its head, neck, and underparts during the breeding season. They are social birds that prefer to nest in colonies along lush lake shores and river deltas, often among willows.
While the Pygmy Cormorant is generally a quiet bird, it does produce throaty croaking calls when in colonies. These birds are known for their exceptional diving abilities and primarily feed on fish.
When it comes to reproduction, Pygmy Cormorants build nests made of grass and twigs in low trees or reedbeds. They lay 3-6 eggs, and both parents take turns incubating them for about 27-30 days. The nestlings become independent after approximately 70 days.
Despite their small size, Pygmy Cormorants have a relatively long lifespan in the wild, reaching up to 15 years.
Key Takeaways:
- The Pygmy Cormorant is a small waterbird belonging to the cormorant family.
- They can be found in southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia.
- Pygmy Cormorants have a proportional body with black feathers and white tufts during the breeding season.
- These birds nest in colonies along lake shores and river deltas, selecting areas with lush vegetation.
- Pygmy Cormorants are known for their diving abilities and primarily feed on fish.
Distribution and Habitat of the Pygmy Cormorant
The pygmy cormorant, scientifically known as Phalacrocorax pygmaeus, is a small species of cormorant that can be found in southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia. Its distribution ranges from the Balkan Peninsula, including countries like Romania and Bulgaria, to regions in Turkey, Iran, and Iraq.
These fascinating birds are known for their affinity towards wetland habitats, particularly those with still or slowly flowing fresh water. They can often be found in coastal deltas and well-vegetated lakes, where they can easily access their preferred food sources of small fish.
The main breeding population of pygmy cormorants is concentrated in the Danube Delta, a sprawling wetland in Romania and Ukraine. Here, an estimated 4,000 breeding pairs of pygmy cormorants reside, making it a critical area for their conservation.
When it comes to selecting a suitable nesting site, pygmy cormorants demonstrate a preference for low trees or reedbeds along the shores of lakes and river deltas, particularly those with a substantial presence of willow trees. They also exhibit colonial nesting behavior, often sharing their nesting sites with other bird species such as egrets, cormorants, and glossy ibises.
The wetlands inhabited by pygmy cormorants offer the perfect environment for their feeding and breeding habits. These areas provide an abundance of fish and feature diverse plant life, including reedbeds and willows, which provide nesting materials and shelter.
These wetland habitats play a crucial role in supporting the pygmy cormorant’s breeding range and overall population. Preserving and protecting these ecosystems is essential for ensuring the long-term survival of this remarkable species.
Characteristics and Behavior of the Pygmy Cormorant
The Pygmy Cormorant is the smallest species in the cormorant family, measuring around 45-55 cm in length with a wingspan of 80-90 cm. They have a black body with a brownish head and a long tail.
These waterbirds are known for their diving abilities, allowing them to catch fish underwater. They mainly feed on fish, diving to depths of up to 15 meters to catch their prey.
They are social birds, often seen in groups, and are known to nest in colonies along the shores of lakes and rivers. During the breeding season, adult birds have dark plumage throughout their body, with small white tufts on the head, neck, and underparts. Outside the breeding season, they have a patch of pale color under the beak and a slightly lighter chest.
They are generally quiet birds, only producing throaty croaking calls when in colonies. The Pygmy Cormorant has a long lifespan, with individuals in the wild living up to 15 years. They breed in nests made of grass and twigs, laying 3-6 eggs that are incubated by both parents for about 27–30 days. The nestlings become independent after about 70 days and start their own breeding cycle.