Phalacrocorax pelagicus Pallas, 1811

General Size Characteristics

This species is a smallish cormorant. When fully grown, it measures 25 to 35 inches (64 to 89 cm) in length, has a wingspan of approximately 3.3 feet (1.0 meter), and weighs 52 to 86 ounces (1,500 to 2,400 g).

Nonbreeding Adult Plumage

Nonbreeding adult pelagic cormorants are all-black with a metallic iridescence.

Breeding Adult Plumage

In breeding plumage, they develop two short crests (one on the top of the head and one at the nape), white thighs, and scattered thin white filoplumes on the head and neck. Its long thin bill and large fully webbed feet stay black year-round, while the patch of dark bare skin below the eye turns bright magenta during the breeding season.

Sexual Dimorphism

Males and females have identical appearance, though females are slightly smaller.

Immature Plumage

Immature birds lack iridescence, are dark brown overall, and fade to slightly lighter brown on their underside.

Sympatric Related Species

The pelagic cormorant is widely sympatric with the very similar-looking red-faced cormorant (U. urile).

Breeding Adult Species Distinction

Breeding adults of the two species can be easily distinguished by the extent of naked facial skin: in the pelagic cormorant, naked skin does not extend noticeably past the eye, while in the red-faced cormorant it extends above the bill, above the eye, and behind the eye. Red-faced cormorants also have larger crests.

Nonbreeding/Juvenile Species Distinction Difficulty

Juveniles and nonbreeding adults of the two species are often impossible to tell apart even for trained observers, when they occur in mixed flocks or cannot be observed at close range.

Close-Range Species Distinction Traits

When close observation is possible, red-faced cormorants can be easily recognized by their large naked facial "mask" and lighter bill; this species is also larger overall, though male pelagic cormorants can reach the same size as female red-faced cormorants.

Pre-Takeoff Call Distinction

Unlike red-faced cormorants, pelagic cormorants usually call before taking off, especially during the breeding season.

Courtship Display Distinctions

During courtship displays, pelagic cormorants typically tear and move nest material (a behavior red-faced cormorants may not perform), and male pelagic cormorants apparently do not bow their heads to females as male red-faced cormorants do.

Distinction From Other Cormorants

Other cormorants and shags native to the North Pacific are larger, have thicker bills, and/or lack the white thighs seen in breeding plumage pelagic cormorants.

General Habitat

The pelagic cormorant lives on the shores and in the neritic zone of the North Pacific.

North American Range

On the North American side, its range stretches from Alaska to the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico.

Asian Range

It is also found on the Aleutian Islands and other Bering Strait islands; on the Asian side, it occurs from the Russian Far East's Chukchi Peninsula through Sakhalin, south to Kamchatka, and finally to Kyūshū, but not to other parts of Japan.

Movement Patterns

Subarctic populations of pelagic cormorant are migratory, while populations from temperate and subtropical regions only disperse locally after breeding. Even so, Asian pelagic cormorants may reach China or Korea.

Vagrant Records

Vagrants of this species have been recorded in the Hawaiian Islands.