We were at Asuncion Island snorkeling with sea lions and bird watching when I spotted this guy swimming along alone. At first I thought he had a
fishing fly stuck on his head but realized it was just his punk hairdo!
I have never seen one of these before...have you? What an amazing bird..so colourful and unique..he was bigger than the other cormorants and only swam
and dove...didnt fly when we tried to get closer for some photos.
rts551 - 5-13-2012 at 11:03 AM
double crested cormorant . DianaT - 5-13-2012 at 11:05 AM
We have never seen those around there---- guess we need to go looking for them as they are beautiful.rts551 - 5-13-2012 at 11:10 AM
You might of seen them. The plume is only prominent during mating season.Skipjack Joe - 5-13-2012 at 11:15 AM
Are you sure Ralph. Your bird has black plummage. Shari's has mottled grey.rts551 - 5-13-2012 at 11:31 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
Are you sure Ralph. Your bird has black plummage. Shari's has mottled grey.
I could be wrong. But I think so. In the estero you can see them in the spring with plumage ranging from black to mottled, but all distinguished by
the white crest.shari - 5-13-2012 at 11:41 AM
ralf...is that photo from your area?
hmm...according to Peterson...the Red-Faced Cormorant has a red face with a blue patch at the base of the bill(which this bird has)...and the double
crested cormorant has a yellow throat pouch...anyway, we only saw one of them but I will surely be on the lookout for more. The are distinctive as
they are bigger, thicker with that gorgeous red face.goldhuntress - 5-13-2012 at 12:12 PM
I think the red faced in north america are only in Alaska. I'm thinking it's a double-crested.rts551 - 5-13-2012 at 12:15 PM
That picture is off the internet. but yes we have them in the Estero Coyote.rts551 - 5-13-2012 at 12:20 PM
from Audubon
Red-faced Cormorant
(Phalacrocorax urile)
This species has a very limited range, found only on islands in the cold seas of the southern Alaskan coast west to the Aleutian and Commander
islands. Because of its limited range and location of shipping lanes through the heart of that range, it is vulnerable to oil spills and other marine
pollutants. This species is also vulnerable to introduced predators on the islands where they nest.
Identification
Overall, black in appearance with greenish or violet sheen. It shows a conspicuous white patch on the flanks; its head bears two crests on forehead
and nape. Its namesake bright red face patch is duller in non-breeding plumage. It looks much like Pelagic Cormorant but larger and with generally
bigger proportions.shari - 5-13-2012 at 12:20 PM
thanks all...OK then...double crested cormorant it is...the book says it nests on sea cliffs which means maybe they are nesting on the island...cool.
