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Brandt's Cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus)
Birds Around Las Vegas, Wildlife Around Las Vegas
Brandt's Cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus)
Brandt's Cormorant in breeding plumage

General Description: Brandt's Cormorants (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) are glossy black, diving birds with a long, thin neck and a long, thin, hooked bill. In breeding plumage, the throat pouch turns blue, and there is a patch of buffy feathers on the chin, and white feathers on the side of the neck. In the non-breeding season, they lose the blue color and white feathers, but retain the buffy feathers.

Taxonomy: Suliformes, Phalacrocoracidae

Favored Habitat: Near-shore coastal habitats, rocky coastlines.

Brandt's Cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus)
Brandt's Cormorant in breeding plumage showing blue throat pouch

Where to Find: Don't look for Brandt's Cormorants around Las Vegas. Rather, look for them on trips to the Pacific Coast, especially along rocky coastlines.

Comments: Brandt's Cormorants nest on the tops of rocky cliffs.

Brandt's Cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) Brandt's Cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus)
Brandt's Cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) Brandt's Cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus)
Brandt's Cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus)
Brandt's Cormorant with blue gular pouch and buffy feathers
Brandt's Cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus)
Brandt's Cormorant on a rocky cliff
Brandt's Cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus)
Brandt's Cormorant typical breeding habitat
Brandt's Cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus)
Brandt's Cormorants nest on the tops of rocky offshore crags.
Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 240106
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