Despite its name, the Pelagic Cormorant stays close to the rocky Pacific shore. Its slim neck, narrow bill, and long tail help separate it from other cormorants seen along the U.S. West Coast.
Appearance
Appearance
Breeding adults are dark with a green and purple sheen, red skin at the throat, and white patches on the flanks. Young birds are dark brown and lack the bright breeding pattern.
Look for the Pelagic Cormorant's smaller body, narrower bill, and much thinner neck. The Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) is bulkier and has orange-yellow facial skin.
Where it lives
Typical habitats
rocky Pacific shore
coastal cliffs
Range
In the United States it occurs along the Pacific coast, including Alaska, Oregon, and California. It usually feeds only a few miles from shore.
Behavior
Diet
It dives for fish near rocky reefs and also eats small .
Social life
It is often seen alone or in pairs rather than in large feeding groups.
Life cycle
Nest
It makes a small nest of grass and seaweed on a narrow cliff ledge.
Clutch size
1–8 eggs
Name and classification
About the name
Older field guides may call this bird Phalacrocorax pelagicus. The northern violet-green Pelagic Cormorant (U. p. pelagicus) and the southern Baird’s Pelagic Cormorant (U. p. resplendens) are .
Conservation
IUCN Red List
LCLeast Concern·Low risk of extinction
Status
There have been strong long-term declines in North America, with threats from fishing nets, oil spills, and disturbed nesting colonies.