Birders from Florida, Anhinga/DC Cormorant ID help needed (1 Viewer)

loranfrfr

Well-known member

• May 27, 2011

• #1

Took these pictures a few days ago of a possible Anhinga / or double crested cormorant. We have been debating for days now about the id of this bird.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16970154@N07/

The tail seem way too short for an Anhinga, so now we think DC cormorant. Could anyone repost the question to your local listserv? Anhinga would be state record #3, so we need all the expert opinion we need!

 

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csanchez7

Well-known member

• May 27, 2011

• #2

It looks good for an Anhinga, and the behavior sounds right -- Anhingas, surprisingly, are very accomplished at soaring to great heights. I see nothing wrong with the tail or neck to discount Anhinga.

I have never seen a Double-crested Cormorant soar (we have many of them, as well). Flight has always been direct with frequent flaps.

I will repost this on the Tropical Audubon listserv.

Carlos

 

C

Cervus

Member

• May 28, 2011

• #3

I've never seen a Corm soar, either. This looks just like an anhinga, even without the flight description.

 

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Sydsmythe

Well-known member

• May 28, 2011

• #4

Add another for anhinga.

 

Andy Wraithmell

aka Limeybirder

• May 28, 2011

• #5

It looks like a perfect Anhinga to me. As Carlos stated, Anhinga's like to soar. I've actually seen kettles of them (up to 25 birds) here in North Florida. I've also never seen a DCCO soar anywhere. The tail and neck don't seem short at all. Congratulations!

 

Andy Benson

Well-known member

• May 28, 2011

• #6

Yep Anhinga for me too. Heres a pic I took of soaring DCCs in Florida this spring, note the more prominent head profile and broader base to the neck. Also tail profile poss. shorter on DCC than Anhinga?
Congrats
Andy

 

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Last edited: May 28, 2011

chris butterworth

aka The Person Named Above

• May 28, 2011

• #7

Proportional length of the neck and tail are right for Anhinga.

Chris

 

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Sydsmythe

Well-known member

• May 30, 2011

• #8

According to whatbird.com a DCC will soar on thermals.

 

Last edited: May 30, 2011

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csanchez7

Well-known member

• May 30, 2011

• #9

Coming from a guy who monitors cormorants - that looks like an Anhinga to me. Wing shape and proportions look wrong for D-C Cormorant.

Also, I've never seen a cormorant soar. I've seen Anhingas soar countless times.

Not the expert, but hope this helps.

-RJ-

Click to expand...

Carlos

 

Larry Lade

Moderator

• May 30, 2011

• #10

Flocks of Anhingas have been seen here in Missouri recently! The photos taken of then soaring here look very similar to your photo.

 

loranfrfr

Well-known member

• Aug 24, 2011

• #11

Final consensus was the bird was a DC cormorant. Interesting bird.

 

J

Jim M.

Member since 2007

Supporter

• Aug 24, 2011

• #12

loranfrfr said:

Final consensus was the bird was a DC cormorant. Interesting bird.

Click to expand...

I agree on DC Corm (or at least there's not enough in the photo to confirm an out of range Anhinga). Tail doesn't look long or wide enough for Anhinga. Compare with Andy's photo of soaring cormorants in post 6 this photo of an Anhinga: http://www.google.com/imgres?q=anhi...0&ndsp=35&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0&biw=1520&bih=914

Best,
Jim

 

Last edited: Aug 25, 2011