Pelagic Cormorant

About

The Pelagic Cormorant is a slender, medium-sized marine bird known for its iridescent black plumage, long neck, and relatively small head. It is highly adapted to coastal marine environments, diving efficiently for fish and invertebrates. Unlike many cormorants, it often perches on vertical cliff faces and is less frequently seen far from shore.

Size & lifespan

Length

63-76 cm (25-30 in)

Wingspan

91-102 cm (36-40 in)

Weight

1.5-2.4 kg (3.3-5.3 lbs)

Lifespan

Up to 18 years in the wild

Diet

Carnivore (primarily fish and marine invertebrates)

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Adult breeding plumage is glossy, iridescent black or dark green, with two distinct white flank patches (often visible in flight or when perched). Non-breeding adults are duller, lacking the white flank patches and often showing some brownish tones. Juveniles are uniformly dull brown, lacking iridescence and white patches.

Beak shape

Slender, hooked bill, dark gray to black.

Eye color

Dark brown, with a small patch of red facial skin around the eye, particularly noticeable in breeding adults.

Leg color

Black.

Distinguishing features

Small head, slender neck, relatively thin bill, and the presence of white flank patches in breeding adults. Its flight profile is distinctive, with a long neck and tail, and rapid wingbeats.

Juvenile appearance

Uniformly dull brown, lacking the iridescent sheen and white flank patches of adults. The bill is dark, and the facial skin is duller.

Seasonal changes

Breeding adults develop two prominent white flank patches, a double crest (one on the forehead, one on the nape), and a more intense iridescent green or purple sheen to their black plumage. The red facial skin becomes brighter. Non-breeding adults lose the crests and white flank patches, and their plumage becomes duller.

Sexual dimorphism

Males and females are generally similar in appearance, though males may be slightly larger.

How to identify

1. 1

   Size and Shape

   Look for a relatively small, slender cormorant with a long, thin neck and a small head. It appears more delicate than other cormorant species.

2. 2

   Plumage (Breeding Adult)

   Observe the glossy, iridescent black or dark green plumage. Crucially, look for the two distinct white flank patches, which are often visible when perched or in flight. Also note the small double crests and bright red facial skin.

3. 3

   Plumage (Non-breeding Adult/Juvenile)

   Non-breeding adults are duller black/brown and lack the white flank patches and crests. Juveniles are uniformly dull brown. The slender build remains a key identifier.

4. 4

   Habitat and Behavior

   Pelagic Cormorants are almost exclusively found on rocky coastlines, often perching on very steep cliff faces. They dive frequently and often hold their wings out to dry.

5. 5

   Flight

   Note the rapid, shallow wingbeats and direct flight path, often low over the water. The long neck and tail are noticeable in flight.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Coastal marine environments, rocky shores, offshore islands, and open ocean near coastlines.

Geographic range

North Pacific Ocean, from Alaska and the Aleutian Islands south along the west coast of North America to Baja California, and across to the coasts of Siberia, Japan, and Korea.

Elevation range

Sea level to a few meters above sea level (coastal cliffs).

Preferred environments

Steep, rocky coastlines, sea cliffs, offshore islets, and kelp forests. They prefer areas with clear, cold water for foraging and protected ledges for nesting.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal.

Feeding habits

Primarily piscivorous, feeding on small, schooling fish (e.g., sandlance, herring, sculpins) and marine invertebrates (e.g., crustaceans, squid). They are pursuit divers, propelling themselves underwater with their feet. They can dive to considerable depths and remain submerged for up to a minute. Often seen drying their wings in a characteristic spread-wing posture after diving.

Social behavior

Colonial nesters, forming large breeding colonies on cliff ledges. Outside the breeding season, they can be solitary or found in small groups while foraging or roosting.

Flight pattern

Strong, direct flight with rapid, shallow wingbeats. Flies low over the water, often in V-formations or single file. When taking off, they often run across the water surface. In flight, the long neck and tail are prominent.

Migration pattern

Generally resident throughout much of its range, though northern populations may make short-distance movements south in winter. Juveniles may disperse more widely than adults.

Territoriality

Highly territorial around nesting sites during the breeding season, defending their immediate nest area from conspecifics and other seabirds.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

Varies geographically, typically from April to August.

Nesting habits

Nests colonially on narrow ledges of steep, inaccessible sea cliffs or on offshore islands. Nests are bulky cups made of seaweed, grass, twigs, and guano, cemented together. Both parents participate in nest building.

Clutch size

2-5 eggs, most commonly 3-4.

Egg description

Typically 2-5 eggs, pale bluish-green, often covered with a chalky white layer of guano.

Incubation period

26-31 days, incubated by both parents.

Fledging period

Approximately 45-55 days after hatching, young are able to fly.

Parental care

Both parents share incubation duties and feed the young by regurgitation. Young are altricial (helpless at hatching) and require extensive parental care.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Scan Cliff Faces. Pelagic Cormorants often perch vertically on narrow ledges of sheer cliffs, making them blend in. Use binoculars or a spotting scope to carefully scan these areas.
2. Observe Drying Behavior. Like other cormorants, they frequently spread their wings to dry after diving. This posture makes them highly visible on rocks or buoys.
3. Look for Iridescence. In good light, the iridescent green or purple sheen on their black plumage can be striking and helps distinguish them from duller cormorant species.
4. Note Flight Style. Their rapid, shallow wingbeats and direct flight path, often low over the water, are good field marks.

Similar species

Quick facts

Primary Habitat:

Rocky marine coastlines

Diet:

Small fish and marine invertebrates

Distinguishing Feature:

White flank patches (breeding adults)

Nesting:

Colonial on sea cliffs

Flight:

Rapid, shallow wingbeats, low over water

Fun facts

• Pelagic Cormorants are among the most marine-adapted cormorants, rarely venturing far inland or into freshwater.
• Their bones are less pneumatic (air-filled) than those of many other birds, which helps them dive more efficiently.
• The white flank patches, a key identification feature, are often hidden when the bird is swimming but become prominent when perched or in flight.
• They are known for their ability to perch on extremely narrow and steep cliff ledges, often in seemingly precarious positions.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Suliformes

Family

Phalacrocoracidae

Genus

Phalacrocorax

Species

P. pelagicus

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