Pelagic Cormorant

Phalacrocorax pelagicusOrder: PELECANIFORMESFamily: Cormorants (Phalacrocoracidae)

Breeding Location:

Seashore, rocky or sandy

Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Colonial

Breeding Population:

Stable

Egg Color:

Pale blue

Number of Eggs:

3 - 5

Incubation Days:

26 - 37

Egg Incubator:

Both sexes

Nest Material:

Seaweed, grass, moss, debris and twigs.

Migration:

Nonmigratory

Overview

Pelagic Cormorant: Small cormorant with glossy black body and bold white patches on flanks. Red face and throat pouch. Head and neck are held straight in flight, with head appearing no wider than neck. Feeds on fish, crustaceans and other invertebrates. Graceful direct flight with rapid wing beats.

Range and Habitat

Pelagic Cormorant: Breeds from the Bering Sea south to northern Baja California. Spends winters south of southern Alaska. Preferred habitats include offshore and inshore waters.

Breeding and Nesting

Pelagic Cormorant: Three to five pale blue eggs are laid in a nest made of seaweed, feathers, and other debris; nests become large due to re-use year after year. Incubation ranges from 26 to 37 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Pelagic Cormorant: Diet consists of marine fish, crustaceans, and other invertebrates; forages by diving from the surface, using its large, webbed feet to swim underwater in search of food.

Vocalization

Pelagic Cormorant: Groans and hisses in breeding colonies.

Similar Species

Pelagic Cormorant: Loons lack hooked bills. Other cormorants are larger and lack combination of red faces and red throat pouches.

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Pelagic Cormorant

● Song: No data available.

● Foraging & Feeding: Pelagic Cormorant: Diet consists of marine fish, crustaceans, and other invertebrates; forages by diving from the surface, using its large, webbed feet to swim underwater in search of food.

● Breeding & nesting: Pelagic Cormorant: Three to five pale blue eggs are laid in a nest made of seaweed, feathers, and other debris; nests become large due to re-use year after year. Incubation ranges from 26 to 37 days and is carried out by both parents.

● Similar species: Pelagic Cormorant: Loons lack hooked bills. Other cormorants are larger and lack combination of red faces and red throat pouches.

Flight Pattern

Direct flight with rapid wing beats., Graceful.

● Range & Habitat: Pelagic Cormorant: Breeds from the Bering Sea south to northern Baja California. Spends winters south of southern Alaska. Preferred habitats include offshore and inshore waters.

^BreedingMonogamous, Colonial

^PopulationStable

^MigrationNonmigratory

^Weight72 Ounces

Field Guide to Birds of North America