Cormorant ID, California (1 Viewer)

B

bobsofpa

Well-known member

• Jul 20, 2007

• #1

The below photographs were taken at Moss Landing State Beach, California on 4 June 2007.

These appear to be juvenile Cormorants. Adult Pacific coast Cormorants are confusing enough to us Easterners. My best choice would be First Summer Brandt's Cormorants. Need verification/correction.

 

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Storm-Petrel

registered dude

• Jul 20, 2007

• #2

Youre right, it is a Brandt's Cormorant. You can tell it from the Pelagic cormorant by its much thicker bill and lighter colored chin than Pelagic. You can tell it from the Double-crested by its darker neck and chest and darker bill than DCCO

 

E

emupilot

Well-known member

• Jul 20, 2007

• #3

I also agree with Brandt's. These photos are good enough you can actually see the beginning of the face / throat pattern. Pelagic also has a longer tail than the other two, which is helpful for telling them apart. I like using the neck to separate the cormorants as well - Pelagic has a pencil neck; Brant's is thicker; Double-crested has the thick neck with a kink in it when it flies.

 

Dave Hall

Bumbling Bears

• Jul 20, 2007

• #4

Hi Brandt's Cormorant well done Great Photo's