Pelagic Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Adult
- In North America restricted to Pacific Coast
- Slender neck and noticeably thin, dark bill
- All black plumage can show iridescent green and purple
- Breeding adults have large white flank patch (not shown here)
- © Mike Baird, CA, Morro Bay, October 2008
Pelagic Cormorant
Adult Pelagic breeding (left), adult Brandt's (right)
- Pelagic is small with thin neck and very slender bill
- Breeding Pelagic has small throat patch of red skin (hard to see) and two small crests
- Brandt's is larger with heavier bill, buffy throat patch, and thicker neck
- © lamoustique, CA, San Luis Obispo County, June 2009
Pelagic Cormorant
2 breeding adults (left), Brandts (right)
- Small, glossy cormorant with thin neck
- Very slender bill
- Breeding adults have small red throat patch, two small crests
- Brandt's is larger, has thicker neck, heavier bill, and buffy throat patch
- © Mike Baird, CA, Cuesta-by-the-Sea, March 2007