They are tied as the second largest extant species of cormorant after the flightless cormorant , with the Japanese cormorant averaging at a similar size.
Not listed
Indigenous: Wungayawaa, Wurungayawaa, Black Shag, Cormorant, Shag, Black Cormorant
At a glance
FamilyCormorants and Shags
SizeGiant
RarityCommon
Habitatopen woodland, sparse woodland, closed forest, grassland, and waterbodies
Best timeMost reliable in New South Wales from September to February.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Jorge Leitão
Range map
Range map
200approx hotspots
266977approx records
6states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Breeding adults show circular white patch on flanks.
Behavior
Note large size, white patch on throat, and lack of crest.
Gallery
Regional timing
New South Wales
Queensland
Tasmania
Western Australia
Victoria
South Australia
Northern Territory
Australian Capital Territory