Alternative names: Neotropical Cormorant; Olivaceous Cormorant
- Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Identification
L. 64 cm
W. 100 cm
Weight 1-1.5 kg
- Dark brown to blackish
- Yellow-brown throat patch (gular pouch) which at the rear ends in a sharp point
- Brownish feathering in the lores and area just above the lores
Breeding
- White tufts on the sides of the head
- Throat patch develops a white edge
Juvenile
Brownish
Similar species
Compare especially to Double-crested Cormorant which differ in being larger and stockier, having shorter tail, rounded gular pouch, and yellow bare skin in the loral and supraloral area. Juvenile Double-crested Cormorant is paler on the breast and sometimes even head and neck when compared to same age Neotropic.
Distribution
North America: Mexico, Arizona, southern Texas, and locally in New Mexico. Accidental vagrant to California, Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Illinois, Alabama and most remarkably Ontario1. The regular occurrence in Arizona is the result of a recent range expansion.
In the Caribbean found in Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and Cuba.
Central America and South America: found throughout, including Tiera del Fuego at the southern tip of South America. The name, which hints that this is a tropical species therefore is wrong.
Taxonomy
Two subspecies are recognized, brasilianus and mexicanus. Some field guides2 still use Phalacrocorax olivaceus for this species.
Habitat
Sea shores, lakes, and marshes. It can be found in salt water, brackish water, as well as fresh water habitats.
Behaviour
Dives from the surface, swimming well under water to chase prey. Often perches on logs, pilings, tree limbs, or even wires, sometimes spreading its wings in the sun to dry. Usually flies low over the surface of open water with strong, rapid wing beats.
Diet
Includes small fish, but will also eat tadpoles, frogs, crustaceans, and aquatic insects.
Breeding
The nest is a platform of sticks with a depression in the centre circled with twigs and grass. Up to 5 chalky, bluish-white eggs are laid and are incubated by both parents for about 25–30 days.
References
- Clements, James F. 2007. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. ISBN 9780801445019
- 2005 Ontario Bird Records Committee Report (http://www.ofo.ca/obrc/includes/2005OBRCReport.pdf)
- Ridgely & Gwynne: A guide to the birds of Panama ISBN 0691025126
- RADAMAKER and CORMAN STATUS OF NEOTROPIC CORMORANT IN ARIZONA WITH NOTES ON IDENTIFICATION AND AGEING
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Neotropic Cormorant. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 11 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Neotropic_Cormorant
