Off the coast of Vancouver Island (1 Viewer)

V

vpr

Active member

• Sep 29, 2018

• #1

Any thoughts on this one? I still have quite a lot of trouble with Brandts and pelagics.

 

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  unknown_cormorant-small.jpg

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rbroadwell

Well-known member

• Sep 29, 2018

• #2

pelagic for me
eye colour and the unscientific dainty, smaller feel

 

F

fugl

Well-known member

• Sep 29, 2018

• #3

Brandt’s, I would say. Bill too heavy for Pelagic.

 

V

vpr

Active member

• Sep 29, 2018

• #4

One thing that lead me to lean toward's pelagic was that it seemed to completely lack any throat coloring, but I'm not sure that is always diagnostic.

 

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Sep 30, 2018

• #5

I was surprised by this one, so used a little time on images in the gallery. Most images of brant's showed a bill of equal length to the head behind the base of the bill with Pelagic having a bill closer to 2/3 of that length. This bird seems to have a short bill, but I don't know if there can be issues with the angle of the image making it not representative.

Niels

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Sep 30, 2018

• #6

After going through 100s oif google images, I'm leaaning towards Brandts but what do I know

 

Microtus

Maryland USA (he/him)

• Sep 30, 2018

• #7

I think that it is a Brandt's Cormorant. vpr, do you have any more photos of this bird?

 

V

vpr

Active member

• Oct 1, 2018

• #8

I think the original photograph is the best one, but I've attached another one which does show a slightly different angle and might give an impression of its shape. The details are not as clear though.

 

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R

rkj

Well-known member

• Oct 1, 2018

• #9

This second picture shows the bill looking thinner, which inclines me toward Pelagic Cormorant.

 

Microtus

Maryland USA (he/him)

• Oct 1, 2018

• #10

rkj said:

This second picture shows the bill looking thinner, which inclines me toward Pelagic Cormorant.

Click to expand...

I'm leaning that way now.

 

V

vpr

Active member

• Oct 2, 2018

• #11

Thanks all! I still find these two to be very challenging, and I appreciate all your insight and comments.