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Pelagic Cormorant
last update: Mar 03, 2009 11:19 AM
Latin name: Phalacrocorax pelagicus
Population: 400,000
Cites classified: Least Concern
Where found: Northern Pacific Ocean from the Arctic south to Baja California and Japan.
Age/ life expectancy: unknown
Wingspan: 100-121 cm
Length: 51-76 cm
Weight: 1.3-2.4 kg
Mating/Breeding: They nest in small dispersed colonies on cliffs of rocky islands and headlands, but also in sea caves, on driftwood logs, pilings, and man-made structures. They typically place their nests on narrow ledges and in shallow hollows on the steepest and tallest rock faces available. The nests are constructed of sticks, marine algae, grass, moss, and debris which the cement together with their excrement. Nests are reused from year to year. Breeding occurs from the arctic waters of the Chukchi and Bering Seas, south along the North American coast to Baja California. It also breeds along the Asian coast to southern China (Hong Kong).
Eggs: 3-7 greenish white to bluish
Hibernation: Winter migration occurs primarily in the northern populations, probably as a response to pack ice. They may be found in winter along the Pacific coast to Baja California.
Hunting Habits: shallow surface dive and grabs fish without spearing them
Feed on: fish, marine invertebrates
Predators: gulls, ravens, crows, foxes, and rats
Colour/Body: Similar in appearance to the Red-faced Cormorant in winter, but smaller. They have a long body and long, slender neck. The winter plumage is black glossed greenish and violet-bronze on body and violet-purple on neck. They have a slender, hooked bill that is blackish-brown with orange at the base. During breeding season, Pelagic Cormorants develop a patch of dark red skin around their eyes and base of the bill, a conspicuous white patch on each flank, and purplish and greenish highlights. They often develop white plumes on their necks. They have two crests on their heads but they are not very noticeable.
Interesting Trivia:
- Pelagic Cormorants will use one nest for several years, piling up seaweed, grass and ocean debris until the mound is five to six feet high.
- The Pelagic Cormorant can spring straight up out of the water and into the air. It often perches with its wings spread to dry them.
