Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Pelagic Cormorant (Urile pelagicus)
Pelagic Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant

Urile pelagicus

The Pelagic Cormorant, also known as Baird's Cormorant or the Violet-Green Cormorant, is a small, sleek seabird of the family Phalacrocoracidae. Adults exhibit a striking metallic iridescence on their all-black plumage when not in breeding attire. During the breeding season, they develop two short crests, white thighs, and a smattering of white filoplumes on their head and neck. The bill is long and thin, and the feet are large with fully webbed toes, both of which remain black year-round. A patch of naked skin below the eye turns a vivid magenta during the breeding season. Males and females are similar in appearance, though females are slightly smaller. Immature birds are a uniform dark brown, with lighter brown undersides.

Identification Tips

To identify the Pelagic Cormorant, look for its small size, with a length of 25 to 35 inches and a wingspan of approximately 3.3 feet. The bird's flight is characterized by rapid wingbeats due to its relatively short wings, which are adapted for efficient underwater movement. In breeding plumage, note the white thigh patches and the two crests on the head. The red-faced cormorant is similar in appearance but can be distinguished by its larger naked facial skin area and larger crests.

Habitat

The Pelagic Cormorant is found along the rocky shores and islands of the northern Pacific Ocean. It prefers sheltered inlets and bays, often near kelp beds or rocky outcrops.

Distribution

This cormorant's range extends from Alaska to the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico, including the Aleutian and other Bering Strait islands. It is also found from the Russian Far East Chukchi Peninsula south to Kamchatka and Kyūshū. Subarctic populations are migratory, while temperate and subtropical birds disperse locally after breeding.

Behaviour

On land, the Pelagic Cormorant exhibits a high-stepped waddling gait and may scratch the ground. When threatened, it will dart its bill at the intruder, shake its head, and make a gargling noise. It forages by swimming and diving to depths of up to 140 feet, propelled by its feet and steering with its wings. After foraging, the bird returns to a safe place to preen and dry its feathers, often adopting a spread-winged posture.

Song & Calls

The Pelagic Cormorant typically calls out before taking off, especially during the breeding season. Males and females give identical calls when landing, and during courtship displays, the birds may produce a variety of calls.

Breeding

Breeding occurs on rocky shores and islands, with nests built on cliff faces or in crevices. The nest is constructed from plant material and guano. Courtship displays are elaborate, including stretching the gular sac, "yawning," and fluttering the wings to show the white thigh patches. Clutches typically contain two to five eggs, with incubation lasting three weeks to a month.

Similar Species

The red-faced cormorant is the most similar species, but it can be distinguished by its larger naked facial skin area and larger crests.

Diet and Feeding

The diet consists mainly of small, bottom-living non-schooling fish and crustaceans. The Pelagic Cormorant hunts in the vicinity of kelp beds or among rocks and may join mixed-species feeding flocks.

Conservation status

The IUCN lists the Pelagic Cormorant as Least Concern. It is a numerous and widespread species, with significant populations in the Bering Sea region. Local populations may be affected by oil spills and competition with gillnet fisheries.

Taxonomy and systematics

Formerly classified in the genus Phalacrocorax, the Pelagic Cormorant was reclassified into the genus Urile in 2014. It has two recognized subspecies: U. pelagicus pelagicus and U. pelagicus resplendens, with the former being larger and found in the northwest Pacific, and the latter being smaller and found from British Columbia to northwest Mexico.

Subspecies

Two subspecies are recognized: the Northern pelagic cormorant (U. p. pelagicus) and the Southern pelagic cormorant (U. p. resplendens), with size differences generally following Bergmann's Rule.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Pelagic Cormorant Fun Facts

Did you know?
Pelagic Cormorants can hold their breath for 2 minutes and dive to a depth 42 meters (138 feet).
Did you know?
Despite their name, Pelagic Cormorants are rarely seen more than a few miles from shore.

Pelagic Cormorants on Birda

Sightings

More Cormorants, Shags

A photo of a Shag (Gulosus aristotelis)

Shag

Gulosus aristotelis
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
D3Nature
Great app for learning Birds
I’ve been using the app for a couple of months and love it....Someone said it’s like a real life Pokémon Go for birds. They’re not far off! It’s something that the family can do that gets you out and about. Well worth downloading no matter your age.
Marlster24
Very Wholesome App
Joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😄
Foxgirl100
Great app for beginner twitchers
I’ve had a passion of photographing birds for a long time now but have only just gotten into proper birdwatching, and this app is brilliant for those just getting started. There is a great sense of community among users and the app is very easy to use and professional. Awesome app altogether
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
Abi.M
Awesome App
I really enjoy using this app! It is such a friendly community of bird-lovers who are happy to help if I need ID advice. It’s been great motivation to get outdoors and go birding more! 10/10 😍😍
Tralisalandhoop
Fantastic app - Love it!
Love this app and have used it almost daily. Lots of species information and easy to use. Love seeing birds spotted by other users in the UK and worldwide.
Birdafan
Ideal Birdwatch Companion
Simply adds to the enjoyment of my birdwatching and helps me record what I’ve seen.
Madstherangers
A mordern game changer
Birda is an awesome app, its updated the world of birding to the modern day with a fun and easy to use app. It’s engaging and allows positive interaction with fellow bird lovers!
Paul F
Very good database
Highly recommend. It great that this app shows you male Vs female variations when posting. Very good database I'm really impressed.
Ellesse_W
Learning Birding with Birda
I’m relatively new to birding as a hobby, and Birda is a great way to keep track off all the species I see. I’m still working on my ID skills, but the app is great for figuring out potential species, and the online community is so friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend Birda to both early and serious birders! 🐦
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.