Great Cormorant
(Phalacrocorax carbo)


Picture of bird
© Glen Tepke (

The Great Cormorant is the largest member of its family. It is widespread in Europe and Asia, with a world population of more than 700,000 pairs. However, in North America, it only breeds in a small region of the eastern seaboard from Maine and Nova Scotia to Newfoundland and in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, wintering farther south along the east coast (Hatch et al. 2000). In Europe, it occurs extensively inland, but in North America it is confined to salt water. After persecution in the 19th century reduced the Canadian population to a few thousand birds, the population increased in the 20th century and has changed little since 1970 (Milton et al. 1995); there are currently about 11,800 birds. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.


Listing of the main designations for the species
DesignationStatusDateSubspecies, population
IUCN (Global)Least Concern2012 
Wild Species (Canada)Secure2010 
Bird Conservation Region StrategyPriority Species2013 

Population status

Geographic areaStatusReliability
CanadaLittle ChangeMedium

Population estimate

Canada10,000 - 25,000 breeding birds

Distribution maps


Migration strategy, occurrence

Short-distance migrant

Responsibility for conservation of world population

CanadaVery Low

Conservation and management

Cormorants are not protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act so they fall under provincial jurisdiction. Because they are regarded as a pest by some fishermen they continue to suffer from persecution. They are also affected by human-induced mortality from entanglement in fishing gear, reduction in food due to commercial fisheries and marine oil pollution (Milton et al. 1995). Reduction of pollution in marine environments will benefit the species, along with all other marine life. Unlike most seabirds, they rear broods of more than one chick, so they are capable of comparatively rapid population increase.


Bird conservation region strategies




RegionSub-region and priority type
Atlantic Northern ForestsAtlantic Northern Forests, sub-region and priority type: Quebec Region
Boreal Softwood ShieldBoreal Softwood Shield, sub-region and priority type: Quebec Region
Gulf of St. LawrenceGulf of St. Lawrence, sub-region and priority type: Atlantic Region - Nova Scotia
Gulf of St. LawrenceGulf of St. Lawrence, sub-region and priority type: Atlantic Region - Prince Edward Island
Scotian ShelfScotian Shelf, sub-region and priority type: Atlantic Region - New Brunswick
Scotian ShelfScotian Shelf, sub-region and priority type: Atlantic Region - Nova Scotia