Bird · GBIF taxon 10682451
Brandt's Cormorant
Urile penicillatusBrandt's Cormorant is a dark marine bird with a long neck, hooked bill, and, in breeding adults, a vivid blue throat patch. It dives from the surface and propels itself underwater with powerful webbed feet while pursuing fish.
Marine BirdPursuit DiverColonial Nester
Licensed reference(c) Franco Folini, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Anchovies
- Rockfish
- Other small fish
Predators
- Bald Eagles
- Gulls
- Introduced mammals
ThreatsMarine heatwaves, prey shifts, oil spills, fishing gear, colony disturbance, and harmful algal blooms
HabitatsRocky coasts, offshore islands, bays, kelp forests, cliffs, and open nearshore water
Life spanOften more than a decade; some banded birds have lived beyond 20 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPhalacrocoracidae
- SpeciesUrile penicillatus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Keep far from cliff colonies and never approach resting birds by boat or drone.
Responsible observation
- Identify: Breeding adults show a blue throat patch and pale whisker plumes.
- Watch: Follow a low-sitting bird before it dives beneath the surface.
- Distance: View nesting ledges only from established coastal overlooks.
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.