Pygmy Cormorant
Microcarbo pygmaeus
A diminutive Mallard-sized cormorant of southeast Europe and southwest Asia, not easily confused with anything else in its range. A bird of huge freshwater swamps and deltas, where they build their nests in shrubs or extensive reed beds. Adults are dark with a bronzy green gloss in summer. Winter adults and juveniles have a white throat and paler breast recalling other cormorants, but small body size, short bill, and stubby neck distinctive.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Microcarbo pygmaeus
- Authority
- (Pallas, 1773)
- Order
- Suliformes
- Family
- Phalacrocoracidae
- Genus
- Microcarbo
Range and habitat
The pygmy cormorant occupies an area from the south-east of Europe (east of Italy) and the south-west of temperate Asia, east to Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The largest distribution is in south-east Europe, Albania, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, the Balkan countries, Turkey, Cyprus, Iran, Iraq (namely the Tigris–Euphrates river system), Azerbaijan, Israel, Syria.<p>In Romania, according to studies of Czech ornithologist Robert Ritter von Dombrowski, at the end of the 19th century, the pygmy cormorant was present in large colonies in the Danube Delta, Brăila and Ialomița Pond, on Vederoasa Lake (Constanța County), on certain pools and ponds with reeds and willows in Muntenia. The number of pygmy cormorant pairs was 10,000 without taking in account the breeding population of the Danube Delta. Populations of pygmy cormorant in Romania have dramatically declined, especially in 1960 when, due to the communist agricultural policies, the Great Brăila Island and important parts of Ialomiţa Pond were drained in order to practice agriculture, so the habitats of a great number of aquatic birds were destroyed. The pygmy cormorant can be found in the Danube Delta, Jijia Largă Pond (Iași County), probably on Mața, Rădeanu, Vădeni Ponds (in Galați County), Cârja Pond (Vaslui County), at Vlădești on Prut River (Galați County), on Calinovăț Island from Caraș-Severin County, on Small Brăila Island, on Dunăreni Pond (Mârleanu, Constanța County), in Danubian Plain on Parches Pond-Somova (Tulcea County).<p>At global scale, it was estimated that the entire population of pygmy cormorants is 85,000-180,000 individuals (a study effectuated by Wetlands International in 2006) and 74-94% of total population lives in Europe. The biggest colony is in the Danube Delta, numbering 4,000 pairs, but this seems certain to plunge due to a massive canalization scheme, which despite the protected status of the delta, commenced in May 2004. According to a study made by BirdLife International in 2004, it was estimated that population of pygmy cormorant in Romania was 11,500-14,000 pairs and during the winter 1,500-4,000 pairs. Pygmy cormorants like pools with plenty of vegetation, lakes and river deltas. They avoid mountainous and cold and dry areas. They love rice fields or other flooded areas where trees and shrubs can be found. During winter they also go to waters with higher salinity, in estuaries or on barrier lakes. These are birds who can live alone or in groups and they have adapted to human presence. They build nests from sticks and reeds in dense vegetation, in trees, shrubs, willows but occasionally in reeds on small floating islets. At the end of May, beginning of June, both parents incubate for 27–30 days, and nestlings become independent after 70 days. The young are fed by their parents with small fish and other aquatic animals. This bird frequently shares the same type of habitat with egrets, herons and spoonbills.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Mournful Woodcreeper
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Fairly small, warm brown woodcreeper with buffy spots on breast and vague buffy eyebrow. Note relatively short, straight bill. Very similar to many other species of woodcreepers but smaller than most others in range; tail relatively longer than most other woodcreepers but this is of limited use in field identification. Focus on overall shape, especially the vaguely “pin-headed” look and scruffy feathers on the nape. Generally found in primary forest, usually following a mixed-species flock. Best identified by voice, though not a particularly vocal species. Song is a series of long, clear slightly rising whistled notes, each lower-pitched than the one before, imparting a mournful quality.
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Large, grayish nightjar. Both sexes show a small white mark in the outer wing. Male shows large white tail corners, while the female’s tail is plain. Found on rocky hills and outcrops, usually in savannah. Song is a loud, repeated “kow-chow.” Most similar to Eurasian Nightjar, but smaller, and lacks strong pale markings on the upperparts.
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