Duck vs. Cormorant — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 26, 2024
A duck is a waterfowl known for its waddling gait and quacking sound, while a cormorant is a large, diving bird distinguished by its long neck and hooked bill.
Difference Between Duck and Cormorant
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Ducks are widely recognized for their broad, flat bills and webbed feet, adaptations that make them excellent swimmers and efficient at feeding on the water's surface. They belong to the family Anatidae and are found in both fresh and saltwater environments. Ducks are omnivorous, feeding on aquatic plants, insects, and small fish. On the other hand, cormorants belong to the family Phalacrocoracidae and are adept at diving to catch their prey. Their diet consists mainly of fish, which they hunt by diving underwater, propelled by their powerful webbed feet. Unlike ducks, cormorants have a more streamlined body and a long, hooked bill designed for catching fish.
Ducks are known for their distinctive quacking, although not all duck species quack; males are generally quieter than females. Ducks also exhibit a wide variety of plumage colors and patterns, with males often displaying brighter colors to attract mates. In contrast, cormorants are less vocal and their plumage is predominantly dark, with some species having patches of brighter colors during the breeding season. Their social behavior includes drying their wings in a characteristic spread-wing posture after diving, something ducks do not need to do because of their waterproof feathers.
The reproductive behaviors of ducks and cormorants also differ. Ducks often nest in concealed locations on the ground and are known for their elaborate courtship displays. Cormorants, however, usually nest in colonies on cliffs or in trees and have less conspicuous courtship behaviors. Both species are highly adaptable, but ducks generally have a wider range of habitats due to their diverse dietary needs and nesting preferences.
Conservation status varies widely among duck and cormorant species, with some duck species being common and widespread, while others are threatened or endangered. Cormorants, on the other hand, have been historically persecuted for competing with fishermen, although most species are now protected and their populations are stable or increasing.
Despite their differences, both ducks and cormorants play significant roles in their ecosystems, particularly in controlling fish populations and serving as indicators of water quality and environmental health.
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Comparison Chart
Family
Anatidae
Phalacrocoracidae
Feeding Habit
Omnivorous, surface feeders
Piscivorous, diving hunters
Bill Shape
Broad and flat
Long and hooked
Feet
Webbed for swimming
Webbed for diving
Plumage
Variable, often brighter in males
Predominantly dark, some breeding plumage
Vocalization
Quacking, especially in females
Less vocal, quieter
Reproductive Behavior
Nest on ground, elaborate courtship
Nest in colonies, less conspicuous courtship
Conservation Status
Varies, from common to endangered
Mostly stable, some species increasing
Habitat
Fresh and saltwater environments
Near water, often coastal
Compare with Definitions
Duck
Exhibits sexual dimorphism in plumage.
Male ducks often have brighter feathers than females.
Cormorant
Primarily feeds on fish.
A cormorant can dive deep to snatch fish from the water.
Duck
A waterfowl with a broad, flat bill and webbed feet.
The mallard, a common duck, is found in wetlands worldwide.
Cormorant
A large, diving bird with a long neck and hooked bill.
Cormorants are skilled divers, catching fish underwater.
Duck
Known for their quacking sound.
The female duck's loud quack contrasts the male's quieter call.
Cormorant
Known for drying their wings in a spread posture.
After diving, cormorants spread their wings to dry.
Duck
Omnivorous diet.
Ducks feed on aquatic plants, insects, and small fish.
Cormorant
Distinguished by their dark plumage.
The double-crested cormorant is recognizable by its black plumage.
Duck
Diverse nesting habits.
Some duck species nest in tree cavities, while others on the ground.
Cormorant
Nests in colonies, often on cliffs or trees.
Cormorant colonies can be found along rocky coastlines.
Duck
Duck is the common name for numerous species of waterfowl in the family Anatidae. Ducks are generally smaller and shorter-necked than swans and geese, which are also members of the same family.
Cormorant
Any of various medium-large black seabirds of the family Phalacrocoracidae which dive into water for fish and other aquatic animals, found throughout the world except for islands in the centre of the Pacific Ocean; specifically, the great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo).
Duck
A waterbird with a broad blunt bill, short legs, webbed feet, and a waddling gait.
Cormorant
Phalacrocoracidae is a family of approximately 40 species of aquatic birds commonly known as cormorants and shags. Several different classifications of the family have been proposed and the number of genera is disputed, but in 2021 the IOC adopted a consensus taxonomy of 7 genera.
Duck
A pure white thin-shelled bivalve mollusc found off the Atlantic coasts of America.
Cormorant
Any of several large, widely distributed marine diving birds of the genus Phalacrocorax, having dark plumage, webbed feet, and a slender hooked bill.
Duck
An amphibious transport vehicle
Visitors can board an amphibious duck to explore the city
Cormorant
A greedy, rapacious person.
Duck
A quick lowering of the head.
Cormorant
Greedy; rapacious.
Duck
Dear; darling (used as an informal or affectionate form of address, especially among cockneys)
Where've yer been, ducks!
It's time you changed, my duck
Cormorant
A voracious eater; also, a person who, or thing which, is aggressively greedy for wealth, etc.
Duck
A strong linen or cotton fabric, used chiefly for work clothes and sails
Cotton duck
Cormorant
Voracious; aggressively greedy.
Duck
A batsman's score of nought
He was out for a duck
Cormorant
Any species of Phalacrocorax, a genus of sea birds having a sac under the beak; the shag. Cormorants devour fish voraciously, and have become the emblem of gluttony. They are generally black, and hence are called sea ravens, and coalgeese.
Duck
Lower the head or the body quickly to avoid a blow or missile or so as not to be seen
Spectators ducked for cover
He ducked his head and entered
Cormorant
A voracious eater; a glutton, or gluttonous servant.
Duck
Push or plunge (someone) under water, either playfully or as a punishment
Rufus grabbed him from behind to duck him under the surface
Cormorant
Large voracious dark-colored long-necked seabird with a distensible pouch for holding fish; used in Asia to catch fish
Duck
Refrain from playing a winning card on a particular trick for tactical reasons
Declarer ducked the opening spade lead
Duck
Any of various wild or domesticated waterbirds of the family Anatidae, characteristically having a broad flat bill, short legs, and webbed feet.
Duck
A female duck.
Duck
The flesh of a duck used as food.
Duck
(Slang) A person, especially one thought of as peculiar.
Duck
Often ducks (used with a sing. verb) Chiefly British A dear.
Duck
A quick lowering of the head or body.
Duck
A plunge under water.
Duck
A durable, closely woven heavy cotton or linen fabric.
Duck
Ducks Clothing made of duck, especially white pants.
Duck
An amphibious military truck used during World War II.
Duck
A similar vehicle used for civilian purposes, as to evacuate flood victims or for sightseeing tours. In both senses also called DUKW.
Duck
To lower quickly, especially so as to avoid something
Ducked his head as the ball came toward him.
Duck
To evade; dodge
Duck responsibility.
Ducked the reporter's question.
Duck
To push (a person, for example) suddenly under water.
Duck
In bridge, to deliberately play a card that is lower than (an opponent's card).
Duck
To lower the head or body.
Duck
To move swiftly, especially so as to escape being seen
Ducked behind a bush.
Duck
To submerge the head or body briefly in water.
Duck
To evade a responsibility or obligation. Often used with out
Duck out on one's family.
Duck
In bridge, to lose a trick by deliberately playing lower than one's opponent.
Duck
(intransitive) To quickly lower the head or body, often in order to prevent it from being struck by something.
Duck! There's a branch falling off the tree!
Duck
(transitive) To quickly lower (the head or body), often in order to prevent it from being struck by something.
Duck
(transitive) To lower (something) into water; to thrust or plunge under liquid and suddenly withdraw.
Duck
(intransitive) To go under the surface of water and immediately reappear; to plunge one's head into water or other liquid.
Duck
(intransitive) To bow.
Duck
(transitive) To evade doing something.
Duck
(transitive) To lower the volume of (a sound) so that other sounds in the mix can be heard more clearly.
Duck
(intransitive) To enter a place for a short moment.
I'm just going to duck into the loo for a minute, can you hold my bag?
Duck
(caving) A cave passage containing water with low, or no, airspace.
Duck
An aquatic bird of the family Anatidae, having a flat bill and webbed feet.
Duck
(uncountable) The flesh of a duck used as food.
Duck
(cricket) A batsman's score of zero after getting out. (short for duck's egg, since the digit "0" is round like an egg.)
Duck
(slang) A playing card with the rank of two.
Duck
A building intentionally constructed in the shape of an everyday object to which it is related.
A luncheonette in the shape of a coffee cup is particularly conspicuous, as is intended of an architectural duck or folly.
Duck
A marble to be shot at with another marble (the shooter) in children's games.
Duck
(US) A cairn used to mark a trail.
Duck
One of the weights used to hold a spline in place for the purpose of drawing a curve.
Duck
Synonym of lame duck
Duck
(medicine) A long-necked medical urinal for men.
Duck
A faggot; a meatball made from offal.
Duck
A tightly-woven cotton fabric used as sailcloth.
Duck
(in plural) Trousers made of such material.
Duck
A term of endearment; pet; darling.
Duck
(Midlands) Dear, mate (informal way of addressing a friend or stranger).
Ay up duck, ow'a'tha?
Duck
A pet; a darling.
Duck
A linen (or sometimes cotton) fabric, finer and lighter than canvas, - used for the lighter sails of vessels, the sacking of beds, and sometimes for men's clothing.
Duck
The light clothes worn by sailors in hot climates.
Duck
Any bird of the subfamily Anatinæ, family Anatidæ.
Duck
A sudden inclination of the bead or dropping of the person, resembling the motion of a duck in water.
Here be, without duck or nod,Other trippings to be trod.
Duck
To thrust or plunge under water or other liquid and suddenly withdraw.
Adams, after ducking the squire twice or thrice, leaped out of the tub.
Duck
To plunge the head of under water, immediately withdrawing it; as, duck the boy.
Duck
To bow; to bob down; to move quickly with a downward motion.
Duck
To go under the surface of water and immediately reappear; to dive; to plunge the head in water or other liquid; to dip.
In Tiber ducking thrice by break of day.
Duck
To drop the head or person suddenly; to bow.
The learned pateDucks to the golden fool.
Duck
Small wild or domesticated web-footed broad-billed swimming bird usually having a depressed body and short legs
Duck
(cricket) a score of nothing by a batsman
Duck
Flesh of a duck (domestic or wild)
Duck
A heavy cotton fabric of plain weave; used for clothing and tents
Duck
To move (the head or body) quickly downwards or away;
Before he could duck, another stone struck him
Duck
Submerge or plunge suddenly
Duck
Dip into a liquid;
He dipped into the pool
Duck
Avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues);
He dodged the issue
She skirted the problem
They tend to evade their responsibilities
He evaded the questions skillfully
Common Curiosities
Why do cormorants spread their wings to dry?
Cormorants spread their wings to dry because their feathers get more waterlogged than those of ducks, lacking the same level of oil that makes duck feathers waterproof.
Are ducks or cormorants more social?
Both can be very social; ducks often form large flocks, while cormorants nest in colonies and may hunt in groups.
Can ducks dive like cormorants?
Some duck species can dive, but they generally feed at or near the water's surface, unlike cormorants, which are specialized divers.
Why are some duck species endangered?
Habitat loss, pollution, and hunting are among the main threats to duck populations.
Can cormorants be found in urban areas?
While more common in natural waterways, some cormorant species have adapted to urban environments, especially where fish are plentiful.
Which is bigger, a duck or a cormorant?
Cormorants are generally larger than most ducks, with longer bodies and necks.
Do both ducks and cormorants migrate?
Many species of both ducks and cormorants migrate, but the patterns can vary widely among species.
Are cormorants protected by law?
Many cormorant species are protected under various international and national laws, though their status can vary by region.
How do ducks and cormorants differ in their feeding habits?
Ducks are generally omnivorous and feed on a wide range of food sources, while cormorants are piscivorous, primarily feeding on fish.
How do ducks and cormorants affect their ecosystems?
They play crucial roles in aquatic ecosystems, controlling fish populations and serving as bioindicators of water quality.
What is the significance of a duck's webbed feet?
A duck's webbed feet make it an efficient swimmer, allowing it to navigate and feed in water easily.
Do ducks have natural predators?
Ducks are preyed upon by a variety of predators, including foxes, birds of prey, and raccoons, especially their eggs and ducklings.
Can cormorants be kept as pets?
Cormorants are wild birds and not suitable as pets, requiring specific diets and environments that are difficult to replicate in captivity.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
