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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Phalacrocoracidae
  4. ›
  5. Phalacrocorax
  6. ›
  7. Black-faced Cormorant
Black-faced Cormorant
Photo · (c) Thomas Wilson, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Black-faced Cormorant

Phalacrocorax fuscescens(Vieillot, 1817)

Updated 21 March 2026

Conservation status: Least ConcernOrigin: Endemic
Order
SULIFORMES
Family
Phalacrocoracidae
Genus
Phalacrocorax

At a glance

The Black-faced Cormorant is a very large bird, about 61–69 cm long, listed as Least Concern and endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
61–69 cm
Conservation status
Least Concern
Origin
Endemic
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Endemic
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Black-faced Cormorant look like?

The Black-faced Cormorant is a very large bird, about 61–69 cm long and weighing 1400–2200 g.

The black-faced cormorant, 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 · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
61–69 cm
Weight
1400–2200 g
Wingspan
93 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Black-faced Cormorant?

The Black-faced Cormorant is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Black-faced Cormorant eat?

The Black-faced Cormorant feeds on fish/invertebrates, usually foraging in flocks or alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

4 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Black-faced Cormorant live in Australia?

The Black-faced Cormorant is endemic to Australia, recorded across 34 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingCoasts of south WA to south-east NSW, Bass Strait is. and Tasmania (south Australia)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Non-breeding
  • Vagrant

8 regions recorded