ExploreBirds

Pelagic Cormorant

Urile pelagicus

The Pelagic Cormorant is a sleek, black bird that loves to dive underwater to catch fish. You can often see them perched on rocks or floating on the ocean waves, showing off their beautiful greenish eyes.

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Pelagic Cormorant is a slender, medium-sized seabird with glossy, iridescent dark green and purplish-blue feathers. It has a small head, a long, thin neck, and a slender, hooked bill. In breeding season, it sports two distinct white flank patches and a double crest, distinguishing it from other cormorants.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderSuliformesFamilyPhalacrocoracidaeGenusPhalacrocorax
Pelagic Cormorant
feathered trait badgewebbed_feet trait badgesolitary trait badgepiscivorous trait badge
Pelagic Cormorant

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

After a dive, they stretch out their wings to sun-dry their feathers, looking like tiny caped heroes!

Baby Pelagic Cormorants are born without feathers and look like little black dinosaurs!

These amazing birds can dive over 50 meters deep to catch their favorite meals!

They use a special throat pouch to carry multiple fish back to their hungry chicks.

Special abilities

Ability

Underwater Navigator

Pelagic Cormorant can propel itself underwater using powerful webbed feet, helping them chase fast-moving fish.

Ability

Salt Filter

Pelagic Cormorant has special glands near its eyes that filter out salt, helping them drink seawater without harm.

Ability

Plumage Power-Up

Pelagic Cormorant has wettable feathers that reduce buoyancy, helping them dive deeper and hunt more efficiently underwater.

Ability

Clifftop Constructor

Pelagic Cormorant can build stick nests on narrow cliff ledges, providing safe havens from predators.

Measurements & details

Length
63-76 cm
Wingspan
91-107 cm
Weight
1.5-2.5 kg
Lifespan
15-20 years
Top Speed
60 km/h
Clutch Size
2-5
Incubation
26-31 days

Diet & Feeding

These diving birds mostly eat small fish and marine invertebrates from coastal waters.

Age differences: Young birds are fed by parents and gradually learn to hunt for themselves.

Primary Foods

  • Pacific sand lance
  • Herring
  • Rockfish
  • Shrimp
  • Squid

Foraging Method

  • Pursuit

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Pelagic Cormorant?

63-76 cm

What is Pelagic Cormorant's wingspan?

91-107 cm

How much does Pelagic Cormorant weigh?

1.5-2.5 kg

How long does Pelagic Cormorant live?

15-20 years

How fast can Pelagic Cormorant move?

60 km/h

What does Pelagic Cormorant eat?

These diving birds mostly eat small fish and marine invertebrates from coastal waters.

Where is Pelagic Cormorant usually found?

Coastal areas

How does Pelagic Cormorant hunt?

Pursuit

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Where to spot

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