Black-faced cormorant
Black-faced cormorant | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Suliformes |
Family: | Phalacrocoracidae |
Genus: | Phalacrocorax |
Species: | P. fuscescens
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Binomial name | |
Phalacrocorax fuscescens (Vieillot, 1817)
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Distribution of the black-faced cormorant | |
Synonyms | |
Stictocarbo fuscescens |
The black-faced cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscescens), also known as the black-faced shag, is a medium-sized member of the cormorant family. Upperparts, including facial skin and bill, are black, with white underparts. It is endemic to coastal regions of southern Australia.
Description
Like other cormorant species, the black-faced cormorant is a large aquatic bird, with a long hooked bill, webbed feet, and monochromatic plumage.
Species that are similar in appearance include the
Plumages
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.[6] Juveniles have dark-brown upper feathers, including dark ear coverts and a dark face, with a lighter underside streaked with brown. Following the Juvenile plumage, black-faced cormorants have immature plumage which are similar to adult plumage.[4]
Sexual Dimorphism
Black-faced cormorants have very subtle sexual dimorphism, making it difficult to differentiate sexes in the field. In general, males are larger and more robust than females, who are more slender in comparison.[7] Males also have larger bills than females, with male bills measuring greater than 77 millimeters and female bills less than 76 mm.[7]
Vocalization
Black-faced cormorants are usually silent when away from the breeding colony.[4][7][6] However, when they are at their nests, the male will emit a loud honk or guttural croak, and the female will hiss when approached.[7][4]
Taxonomy
The black-faced cormorant is one of around 40 species in the cormorant and shag family Phalacrocoracidae.[3] This family split off from the darter family Anhingadae over 40 million years ago, so it has a relatively independent evolutionary history.[3] Of the suggested 7 genera in the cormorant family,[3] the black-faced cormorant is part of the Old-Word cormorants Phalacrocorax. This genus diverged from its sister genus, the North-Pacific Cormorants Urile around 10 million years ago.[3]
The closest related species to the black-faced cormorant is the pied cormorant P. varius.[3]
Habitat and Distribution
Black-faced cormorants are
Habitat
Unlike the other cormorants found around the Australian continent, the habitat of the black-faced cormorant is exclusively
Behaviour and Ecology
Because the black-faced cormorant is an exclusively marine bird, its behaviours enable it to be well-adapted to its environment. It uses pursuit-diving to capture fish,[1] and nests high on cliffs[2] to avoid predators.
Diet
The black-faced cormorant eats fish almost exclusively. Its diet generally consists of
Reproduction
Breeding cormorants nest in pairs or breeding colonies on islands or cliffs.[4] They are likely monogamous like other cormorant species.[7] Nesting sites are on bare rocks, often close to water, and are solidly built of driftwood, seaweed, and other plants with a 35–45 cm diameter.[4] 2 to 3 elongated oval eggs are then laid.[4] The eggs are pale blue-green and measure 58 x 36 mm.[4]
The breeding season for black-faced cormorants varies between populations, and has been observed to occur anywhere from June to February. In the Bass Strait, the black-faced cormorant breeds from June to September, with a peak laying date around the end of July.[2] The reason for this may be to avoid hot summer temperatures that can affect chicks.[2] However, colonies in western and southern Australia breed later in the year, from September to February.[2]
Threats
Black-faced cormorants are considered 'Least Concern' by the IUCN, due to their large range and populations.[1] In Australia, they are considered 'Secure' federally as well as in South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania.[9] However, in Victoria, the black-faced cormorant is considered 'Vulnerable'.[9] Breeding colonies are very sensitive to human presences,[10][2] so it is important that important breeding habitats are protected from disruption.
References
- ^ .
- ^ ISSN 1018-3337.)
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: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link - ^ PMID 24994028.
- ^ )
- ^ Marchant, S; Higgins, P J (1990). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds. Vol. 1, Ratites to ducks. Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
- ^ a b c d "Parks & Wildlife Service – Black-faced Cormorant, Phalacrocorax fuscescens". parks.tas.gov.au. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
- ^ S2CID 84519074.
- ^ PMID 1351826.
- ^ a b c d e "Black-faced Cormorant | BirdLife Australia". birdlife.org.au. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
- S2CID 89367127.
External links
- BirdLife International (2006) Species factsheet: Phalacrocorax fuscescens. Downloaded from https://web.archive.org/web/20210828092113/https://www.birdlife.org/ on 14 November 2006
- Johnsgaard, P. A. (1993). Cormorants, Darters, and Pelicans of the World. Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press. ISBN 1-56098-216-0
- Marchant, S.; & Higgins, P.J. (Coordinators). (2000). ISBN 978-0-19-553068-1