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Cormorants, cormorants, cormorants

Posted: Nov 02 11:14 am
by VAGAbond
Several times I have sat at the lighthouse at Point Roberts and tried to distinguish the Brandt's from the Pelagic Cormorants in the river of birds that flow past the point. I need some help.

These are double-crested. They are easy.

Image


I think these are Pelagic. (small head, straight neck, long tail)

Image

Are these Brandt's? (larger head, curved neck, shorter tail I think)

Image


Thanks in advance for the help.

Re: Cormorants, cormorants, cormorants

Posted: Nov 02 1:03 pm
by birdergirl
Hi Brian

These are all actually Pelagic Cormorants. A Double Crested has a much more obvious yellow facial pouch.

More on Double Crested and Pelagic

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Dou ... rmorant/id

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pel ... rmorant/id

Here is a helpful page on Brandt's

http://tgreybirds.com/Pages/BrandtsCormorantp.html

Cheers,
Mel

Re: Cormorants, cormorants, cormorants

Posted: Nov 06 11:59 am
by JodyWells
Hi Brian
Here is a comparison shot that might be helpful
ImageCormorant Tri :Sp… by Jody Wells, on Flickr
Cheers
Jody Wells

Re: Cormorants, cormorants, cormorants

Posted: Nov 06 12:59 pm
by birdergirl
That's an awesome comparison shot Jody, not often do you get all three species in one shot.

Thanks,
Mel