Pelagic Cormorant: where and when to see them

The pelagic cormorant is a slender North Pacific seabird with glossy dark plumage, a fine bill and a long neck. Breeding adults acquire conspicuous white flank patches and red facial skin. Despite its name, it is strongly associated with coastal waters rather than the open ocean. It nests on narrow cliff ledges, often in places inaccessible to terrestrial predators, and feeds around rocky seabeds where small fishes and invertebrates shelter.

Size

64-76 cm long

Weight

1.5-2.4 kg

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

Birds forage alone or in loose groups, using their feet for propulsion while searching below the surface. Between feeding bouts they rest on rocks, ledges or coastal structures. Breeding pairs construct nests of seaweed, grass and other material on remarkably small cliff shelves. Adults repeatedly carry food to their chicks and defend their immediate nest space. Outside breeding, they may gather at communal roosts while remaining closely tied to coastal feeding grounds. These cormorants are highly adapted to marine life, with dense bones for easier diving and partially webbed feet. Courtship displays involve mutual preening, head weaving, and presenting nesting material. Chicks are altricial, meaning they are born helpless and require extensive parental care.

• Its name is misleading because it usually feeds close to shore.
• Breeding adults develop two small crests as well as white flank patches.
• Nests can occupy very narrow shelves on near-vertical cliffs.
• Its iridescent plumage can show green and purple tones in good light.

Late spring and summer make Alaskan nesting cliffs more accessible and breeding plumage easier to recognize. Many southern Alaskan birds remain through winter where water stays open. Northern distribution and practical observation opportunities shift with sea ice, storms and daylight. In Alaska, large breeding colonies are often at their most active and visible from May through July. Autumn brings a partial migration south for some populations, though many remain in ice-free areas. Longer daylight hours in summer also facilitate more prolonged observation opportunities.

Rocky shorelines, sea cliffs, sheltered bays and nearshore reefs are typical habitat. Nesting requires suitable ledges, while feeding depends on accessible coastal marine prey. It is generally less associated with inland freshwater than several other cormorants sharing parts of its range. They are particularly common on offshore islands and exposed capes. This species shows strong site fidelity, often returning to the same nesting and roosting locations year after year.

Small bottom-associated fishes form much of the diet, including sculpins, gunnels and related coastal species. Crustaceans and other marine invertebrates are also eaten. Prey composition changes among coastlines, reflecting the animals available around rocky reefs and nearby seabed habitats. Foraging dives typically last less than a minute and reach depths of up to 40 meters. They are opportunistic feeders, adjusting their prey selection based on local abundance and availability.

Common name

Pelagic Cormorant

Scientific name

Urile pelagicus

Animal group

Birds

Size

64-76 cm long

Weight

1.5-2.4 kg

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

Identification

A slender bill and neck, small red facial patch and breeding white flanks distinguish it from the heavier double-crested cormorant, while red-faced cormorants have a larger bare facial area. During breeding, adults display iridescent green and purple sheens on their black plumage. The small crest on the head is often visible in breeding birds, further aiding identification. Their flight is direct and strong, typically low over the water with rapid wingbeats.