| Neotropical Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) (aka Olivaceous Cormorant, Phalacrocorax olivaceus) |
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The Neotropical Cormorant is found throughout South America and up to southern USA. See the distribution map at
Birdlife International. It is found both inland and on the
coast though it is rarely found very far from the coast. It is also found from sea-level up to about 4,000 metres in the Andes.
Like the Anhinga, their feathers become completely soaked during a dive which is why they are often found perched with their wings spread out to dry. |
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They feed mainly on fish which they sometimes catch cooperatively swimming side by side in large groups. The
third photo shows a cormorant struggling with an enormous fish it had caught. It eventually succeeded in swallowing it after quite a struggle.
The first photo showing a lighter colouring of greyish brown above and a paler maxilla is of an immature bird. |
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Photos 4, 5, 6 and 7 show birds in breeding plumage where there is a white line around the gular pouch and some
white plumes around the neck.
Photo 9, taken in Honduras shows the sub-species P. b. mexicanus which is smaller than the nominate with a proportionately larger bill. |
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