Which Cormorant is That?
Cormorants are in the Family Phalacrocoracidae, which contains over 40 species. Cormorants are medium to large seabirds and tend to nest in colonies. They have mainly dark plumage and many species have colored skin on the face that is more pronounced during the breeding season. Their bills are long and thin, and they have webbing between all four toes that helps propel them underwater. Cormorants often spread their soaked wings out to dry after a dive due to incomplete waterproofing that helps reduce buoyancy, a valuable attribute for this species of diving seabirds. Pelagic Cormorant In Flight Photo Courtesy of Susan Glarum Pelagic Cormorant In Flight with Nesting Materials Photo Courtesy of Susan Glarum Pelagic Cormorants and Nests on Haystack Rock Photo Courtesy of Susan Glarum Haystack Rock is host to three species of cormorants; the Pelagic Cormorant ( Phalacrocorax pelagicus ), the Brandt’s Cormorant ( Phalacrocorax penici...