A record of Pygmy Cormorant Microcarbo pygmaeus from medieval Spain

The discovery of four bones of a Pygmy Cormorant Microcarbo pygmaeus during an excavation of a fortress in Central Spain indicates the presence of this species in the area during the Late Middle Ages. The probability that this bird could be a vagrant is very small. The Tablas de Daimiel National Park, a wetland close to the site, would have fulfilled the breeding requirements of the species although this occurrence could have been irregular depending of the annual water level

Hernandez-Carrasquilla F., Tyrberg T. & den-Driesch A., ARDEA 87 (2): 285-288