Suliformes / Phalacrocoracidae / Phalacrocorax
Japanese Cormorant
Phalacrocorax capillatus · 绿背鸬鹚
Introduction
A cormorant native to the east Palearctic. It is migratory and dives to significant depths for food.
Description
One of the larger cormorants, measuring 81 to 92 cm (32 to 36 in) in length with a wingspan of 152 cm (60 in) and weighing 2.3 to 3.55 kg (5.1 to 7.8 lb). It has a black body with a white throat and cheeks and a partially yellow bill. Juveniles are plainer and browner.
Distribution & Habitat
Native to the east Palearctic, including China, Japan, North Korea, Russian Far East, South Korea, and Taiwan. It is migratory.
Culture
Domesticated by fishermen in Japan in a tradition known as ukai, particularly on the Nagara River to catch ayu. Called umiu in Japanese.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Suliformes
- Family
- Phalacrocoracidae
- Genus
- Phalacrocorax
Distribution
rocky seacoasts and islands of northeastern Asia, from southeastern Russia southward to Kyushu (southern Japan), Korean Peninsula, and northeastern China; ranges southward to Izu Islands and northern Ryukyu Islands (southern Japan), coastal eastern China, and Taiwan
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.
