Pelagic cormorant
Phalacrocorax pelagicus
- Not on exhibit
- Animal type
- Birds
- Ecosystem
- Kelp forest
- Relatives
- Crested and pelagic cormorants
- Diet
- Fishes
- Range
- Alaska to Baja California
- Size
- Up to 35 inches (89 cm)
Meet the pelagic cormorant
Pelagic cormorants live along open, windswept coasts. They nest along with other cormorants and other seabirds on steep, remote cliffs where they're safer from predators.
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Monterey Bay Cam
Check out this live cam – Monterey Bay CamDid you know?
Unlike Brandt's cormorants, which sometimes hunt cooperatively, pelagic cormorants hunt alone. They often diving into heavy surf for crabs, worms and small fishes. Though they typically dive in shallow water along the shores, they can also make very deep dives—sometimes to 180 feet (55 m) or more.
Conservation
Cormorants feed largely on fish of little commercial value, though in times past they were harassed by fishermen who blamed the birds for depleting their catches.
Safe nesting sites are becoming scarcer for cormorants and other seabirds.
Cool facts
- Pelagic cormorants will use one nest for several years, piling up seaweed, grass and ocean debris until the mound is five to six feet high.
Coloring page
Puffins coloring page
Color these three puffins with their bright beaks and webbed toes.
Go now – Puffins coloring pageUp next in kelp forest
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