LC
Pygmy Cormorant Microcarbo pygmaeus



Taxonomy

Taxonomic note
Microcarbo pygmaeus (del Hoyo and Collar 2014) was previously placed in the genus Phalacrocorax.

Taxonomic source(s)
AERC TAC. 2003. AERC TAC Checklist of bird taxa occurring in Western Palearctic region, 15th Draft. Available at: http://www.aerc.eu/DOCS/Bird_taxa_of_the_WP15.xls.
Cramp, S. and Simmons, K.E.L. (eds). 1977-1994. Handbook of the birds of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The birds of the western Palearctic. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A. and Fishpool, L.D.C. 2014. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Non-passerines. Lynx Edicions BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- - -

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2016 Least Concern
2012 Least Concern
2009 Least Concern
2008 Least Concern
2005 Least Concern
2004 Near Threatened
2000 Lower Risk/Near Threatened
1994 Lower Risk/Near Threatened
1988 Threatened
Species attributes

Migratory status full migrant Forest dependency low
Land-mass type continent
Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 6,780,000 km2 medium
Extent of Occurrence (non-breeding) 3,690,000 km2 medium
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size unknown poor estimated 2012
Population trend increasing - suspected -
Generation length 8.1 years - - -

Population justification: The species has a large global population estimated to be 48,000-137,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2015). The European population is estimated at 37,600-50,400 pairs, which equates to 75,100-101,000 mature individuals (BirdLife International 2015) this is considerably higher than the 28,000-39,000 pairs reported in 2004 (BirdLife International 2004) and the 13,000 pairs estimated in 1996. The population is therefore placed in the band 45,000-139,999 individuals.

Trend justification: The overall population trend is increasing, although some populations have stable trends (Wetlands International 2015). The European population is estimated to be increasing (BirdLife International 2015).


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
Afghanistan extant vagrant yes
Albania extant native yes yes
Algeria extinct vagrant yes
Armenia extant native yes
Austria extant native yes
Azerbaijan extant native yes yes
Belarus extant vagrant yes
Bosnia and Herzegovina extant native yes
Bulgaria extant native yes yes
Croatia extant native yes yes
Cyprus extant native yes
Czechia extant vagrant
France extant vagrant
Georgia extant native yes yes
Germany extant vagrant
Greece extant native yes yes
Hungary extant native yes
Iran, Islamic Republic of extant native yes
Iraq extant native yes
Israel extant native yes yes
Italy extant native yes
Jordan possibly extinct native yes
Kazakhstan extant native yes
Kuwait extant vagrant yes
Lebanon extant native yes yes
Moldova extant native yes
Montenegro extant native yes yes
Netherlands extant vagrant
North Macedonia extant native yes
Pakistan extant vagrant
Palestine extant native yes
Poland extant vagrant
Romania extant native yes yes
Russia extant native yes yes
Russia (European) extant native yes yes
Serbia extant native yes yes
Slovakia extant native yes
Slovenia extant native yes yes
Spain extant native yes
Sweden extant vagrant
Switzerland extant vagrant
Syria extant native yes yes
Tajikistan extant native yes
Tunisia extant vagrant
Türkiye extant native yes yes
Turkmenistan extant native yes
Ukraine extant native yes yes
Uzbekistan extant native yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Albania Drini Delta
Albania Karavasta Lagoon
Albania Lake Megali Prespa
Albania Lake Mikri Prespa
Albania Lake Ohrid and surrounding area
Albania Lake Shkodra (Lake Scadar)
Albania Velipoja
Armenia Armash fish-farm
Armenia Metsamor
Azerbaijan Aggyol
Azerbaijan Divichi liman (or Lake Akzibir)
Azerbaijan Gizilagach
Azerbaijan Kura Delta
Azerbaijan Lake Hajigabul
Azerbaijan Lake Mahmudchala
Azerbaijan Lake Sarysu
Azerbaijan Lake Ych-chala (Novogolovka-chala)
Azerbaijan Shorgel lakes/Shirvan reserve
Azerbaijan Varvara reservoir
Azerbaijan Yashma Island
Bosnia and Herzegovina Hutovo blato
Bulgaria Adata-Tundzha
Bulgaria Atanasovsko Lake
Bulgaria Belene Islands Complex
Bulgaria Burgasko Lake
Bulgaria Chengene Skele
Bulgaria Durankulak Lake
Bulgaria Gorni Dabnik-Telish Reservoir
Bulgaria Ibisha Island
Bulgaria Kalimok Complex
Bulgaria Konush Reservoir
Bulgaria Lakat Island
Bulgaria Mandra-Poda complex
Bulgaria Maritsa-Plovdiv
Bulgaria Mechka Fish-ponds
Bulgaria Orsoya Fish-ponds
Bulgaria Ovtcharitsa Reservoir
Bulgaria Plovdiv Fish-ponds
Bulgaria Pozharevo Island
Bulgaria Rozov Kladenets Reservoir
Bulgaria Shabla Lake Complex
Bulgaria Srebarna
Bulgaria Svishtov-Belene Lowland
Bulgaria Varna-Beloslav Lakes Complex
Bulgaria Yatata
Bulgaria Zlato Pole
Croatia Krka and Surrounding Plateau
Croatia Vrana Lake and Jasen
Georgia Alazani Valley
Georgia Jandari Lake
Greece Axios, Loudias and Aliakmonas rivers' deltas
Greece Evros delta
Greece Gallikos estuary and Kalochori lagoon
Greece Kalamas delta
Greece Kompsatos valley
Greece Lake Doïrani
Greece Lake Ismarida (Mitrikou)
Greece Lake Kastoria
Greece Lake Kerkini
Greece Lakes Cheimaditis and Zazari
Greece Lakes Vegoritis and Petron
Greece Lakes Volvi, Koroneia and Rentina Gorge
Greece Nestos delta and coastal lagoons
Greece Nestos gorge
Greece Northern Evros and Ardas riparian forest
Greece Pineios delta
Greece Porto Lagos, lake Vistonida and coastal lagoons
Greece Prespa National Park and Varnountas mountains
Greece River Axios
Greece Strymonas estuary
Hungary Hortobágy and Tisza-to
Hungary Lake Kis-Balaton
Iran, Islamic Republic of Amirkelayeh lake
Iran, Islamic Republic of Anzali Mordab complex
Iran, Islamic Republic of Bandar Kiashar lagoon and mouth of Sefid Rud
Iran, Islamic Republic of Lavandavil Wildlife Refuge
Iran, Islamic Republic of Miankaleh Peninsula and Gorgan Bay
Iran, Islamic Republic of Seyed Mohalli, Zarin Kola and Larim Sara
Israel Hula valley
Israel Jezre'el, Harod and Bet She'an valleys
Israel Zevulun valley
Italy Punte Alberete and Valle della Canna, Pineta San Vitale and Pialassa della Baiona
Italy Venice lagoon
Kazakhstan Akzhar Lakes
Kazakhstan Chardara Reservoir
Kazakhstan Kazakhstan portion of the river Volga's Delta - Zhambay
Montenegro Bojana Delta
Montenegro Lower Moraca and Podgorica
Montenegro Niksicko polje
Montenegro Skadar Lake
Montenegro Ulcinj saltpans
North Macedonia Lake Dojran
North Macedonia Lake Ohrid
North Macedonia Lake Prespa
Romania Allah Bair - Capidava
Romania Balta Mică a Brăilei
Romania Balta Vederoasa
Romania Bistreţ
Romania Blahniţa
Romania Braţul Borcea
Romania Buhuşu reservoir - Bacău - Tătărăşti
Romania Calafat - Ciuperceni - Dunăre
Romania Comana
Romania Confluenţa Olt - Dunăre
Romania Cursul Dunării - Baziaş - Porţile de Fier
Romania Danube Delta
Romania Dunăre - Ostroave
Romania Gruia - Gârla Mare
Romania Iezerul Călăraşi
Romania Ilfov reservoir
Romania Lake Beibugeac (Plopu)
Romania Lake Bugeac
Romania Lake Dunăreni
Romania Lake Oltina
Romania Lake Siutghiol
Romania Lake Strachina
Romania Lake Techirghiol
Romania Limanu - Herghelia
Romania Olt valley
Romania Ostrovu Lung - Gostinu
Romania Stânca lake - Costeşti
Romania Suhaia
Romania Vedea - Dunăre
Russia (European) Achikol'skiye lakes
Russia (European) Agrakhanski Bay (North Agrakhan)
Russia (European) Kizlyar Bay
Russia (European) Mekhteb reservoir
Russia (European) Southern Agrakhan lake
Russia (European) Turali lakes
Russia (European) Turalinskaya lagoon
Serbia Becej fish-pond
Serbia Carska bara
Serbia Kljucko Podunavlje
Serbia Labudovo okno
Serbia Mala Vrbica
Serbia Obedska bara
Serbia Usce Save u Dunav
Slovakia Danube floodplains
Slovenia River Drava
Syria Euphrates valley
Tajikistan Kayrakkum Reservoir
Tajikistan Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve
Türkiye Akşehir and Eber Lakes
Türkiye Bafa Lake
Türkiye Bendimahi Delta
Türkiye Bulanık and Malazgirt Plains
Türkiye Büyük Menderes Delta
Türkiye Çaldıran Plain
Türkiye Eğirdir Lake
Türkiye Ereğli Plain
Türkiye Gavur Lake
Türkiye Gediz Delta
Türkiye Göksu Delta
Türkiye Güllük Bay
Türkiye Hotamış Marshes
Türkiye İğdır Plain
Türkiye Işıklı Lake
Türkiye İznik Lake
Türkiye Karkamış
Türkiye Kızılırmak Delta
Türkiye Kocaçay Delta
Türkiye Köyceğiz Lake
Türkiye Küçükçekmece Basin
Türkiye Lesser Menderes Delta
Türkiye Manyas Lake (Kuş Lake)
Türkiye Marmara Lake
Türkiye Meriç Delta
Türkiye Sapanca Lake
Türkiye Seyhan Delta
Türkiye Southern Euphrates Valley and Birecik Plains
Türkiye Sultan Marsh
Türkiye Terkos Basin
Türkiye Uluabat Lake
Turkmenistan Deryatakyr
Turkmenistan Gurtli
Turkmenistan Ketteshor - Ramankol
Turkmenistan Khankhovuz
Turkmenistan Kopetdagkhovudan
Turkmenistan Mergen
Turkmenistan Muskinata
Turkmenistan Saryyazy
Ukraine Kagul lake
Ukraine Kugurluj and Kartal lakes
Ukraine River Danube
Ukraine Snake island
Ukraine Stentsivs'ko-Zhebriyanivs'ki plavni
Uzbekistan Aktepe Reservoir and Three Lakes
Uzbekistan Balykchi Fish Farm
Uzbekistan Karakyr Lakes
Uzbekistan Northern shore of Aydarkul Lake
Uzbekistan Rogatoe Lake
Uzbekistan Tuzkan Lake
Uzbekistan Zholdyrbas Lake

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Artificial/Aquatic & Marine Artificial/Aquatic - Aquaculture Ponds suitable non-breeding
Artificial/Aquatic & Marine Artificial/Aquatic - Water Storage Areas (over 8ha) suitable non-breeding
Forest Temperate suitable breeding
Marine Coastal/Supratidal Coastal Freshwater Lakes major breeding
Marine Coastal/Supratidal Coastal Freshwater Lakes major non-breeding
Shrubland Temperate suitable breeding
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Freshwater Lakes (over 8ha) major breeding
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Freshwater Lakes (over 8ha) major non-breeding
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Inland Deltas major breeding
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Inland Deltas major non-breeding
Wetlands (inland) Permanent Rivers/Streams/Creeks (includes waterfalls) suitable non-breeding
Altitude   Occasional altitudinal limits  

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Agro-industry farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Ecosystem conversion
Biological resource use Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals - Persecution/control Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Species mortality
Natural system modifications Dams & water management/use - Abstraction of surface water (unknown use) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Natural system modifications Dams & water management/use - Dams (size unknown) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Pollution Industrial & military effluents - Type Unknown/Unrecorded Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Species mortality

Utilisation
Purpose Scale
Food - human subsistence, national
Pets/display animals, horticulture international
Sport hunting/specimen collecting subsistence, national

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Pygmy Cormorant Microcarbo pygmaeus. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/pygmy-cormorant-microcarbo-pygmaeus on 24/11/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 24/11/2024.