If you're a birder, you'll know what a life list is. It's basically a list of all the bird species one has observed and positively ID'd in one's lifetime. This blog is a record of my "critter" life list (mostly of birds), including photos I've taken over the years, some of the actual lifer if I was lucky enough to get the shot. Don't expect National Geographic quality stuff here, just the work of an amateur photog who loves to trudge out into nature.

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Pelagic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pelagicus)

8/19/04 Spooner's Cove, Montana de Oro State Park, San Luis Obispo County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Pelagic Cormorant

SPECIES: Phalacrocorax pelagicus

FAMILY: Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants)

LIFE LIST DATE: 8/19/2004

LOCATION: Spooner's Cove, Montana de Oro State Park, San Luis Obispo County, CA

From Stokes Field Guide to Birds-Western Region & Kaufman Focus Guide-Birds of North America:

HABITAT/BEHAVIOR: This small diver is found the length of the west coast, but does not go inland. Less sociable than most cormorants, it may be seen singly or in small flocks, and usually nests in small colonies on steep cliffs. 

IDENTIFYING MARKS: 26"; smaller than other Pacific cormorants, with smaller head, thinner bill. Adults look very glossy overall; dark red on face is hard to see. In breeding plumage, develops patches of white flank feathers. 

VOICE: Silent away from nest; at nest can give a loud groan. 
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