/
This is one of the largest cormorants found in south-western Australia and has pied plumage with the upper half of its body black and the undersides white.
Not listed
Endemic to Australia
Indigenous: Diver, White-Breasted Cormorant, Black-And-White Shag
At a glance
FamilyCormorants and Shags
SizeSmall
RarityCommon
HabitatCoastlines, harbours, offshore waters, estuaries, headlands, beaches, and large inland water when conditions suit.
Best timeReported across most months in Tasmania, with no narrow seasonal peak.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Khristos Nizamis
Range map
Range map
844visible hotspots
25184visible records
4states
SparseModerateDense hotspot
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
Like other cormorant species, the black-faced cormorant is a large aquatic bird, with a long hooked bill, webbed feet, and monochromatic plumage.
Behavior
The breeding and non-breeding plumages are very similar, with the formation of fine white streaks along the neck during breeding until eggs are laid. Black-faced cormorants are usually silent when away from the breeding colony.
Gallery