Pelagic Cormorant
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| Pelagic cormorant | ||||||||||||||
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| Phalacrocorax pelagicus Pallas, 1811 |
The Pelagic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pelagicus †) is a small (25"-29", 64-74 cm) member of the cormorant family found on the coasts of the northern Pacific.
It is a black-bodied seabird with a metallic gloss. Its facial skin is a vivid magenta.
It is distinguished from other cormorants in the region by its small head and much thinner bill. Also, it is the only cormorant in its region that has conspicuous white patches on its flanks during breeding season.
This bird feeds by diving into wild seas and surf near boulders.
The Pelagic Cormorant's USA range includes the Pacific shore from Alaska to Baja, Mexico.
It is also known as Baird's Cormorant.
† Phalacrocorax: Latinized Greek for phalakros (bald) and kora (raven); pelagicus: Greek for that which pertains to the sea.