Neotropic Cormorant (us-RGV)
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Contents |
Regional Information
Range, Abundance, and Seasonal Variations
Fairly common along the Rio Grande River and other freshwater ponds and lakes.
Directions and Maps
Bentsen State Park, Santa Ana NWR, Edinburg World Birding Center.
General Information
Size
Length: 64cm (??in), Wingspan: 100cm (??in), Weight: 1-1.5Kg
Field Marks
Large, dark waterbird with a long, hooked bill and long tail, long, thin neck, gular region pointed and dull yellow. Thin, pale border to gular region. Long tail. Frequently holds its neck in an S-shape. Adult: Mainly black, with a yellow-brown throat patch. During breeding, white tufts appear on the sides of the head, and the throat patch develops a white edge. Immature: Dull brownish upperparts, paler underparts. Sexes similar.
Similar species
Formerly called Olivaceous Cormorant. Small and slender, especially compared to the larger, heavier-looking Double-crested Cormorant. Unlike other cormorants, this bird can often be seen perching on wires. Loons lack hooked bills. Most loons hold their bills level while swimming while cormorants hold theirs angled upwards. Anhinga has a long, pointed bill and a much longer tail. All adult cormorant species in the U.S. are separable by the shape and color of the gular areas. No other species has a dull yellow gular region bordered by a thin white line. Double-crested Cormorants are quite similar to Neotropic Cormorants, especially the immatures but note that the smaller Neotropic has a duller, pointed gular region, a longer tail, and a slimmer build.
Sounds
Feeding & Behavior
Its diet consists mainly of small fish, but will also eat tadpoles, frogs, and aquatic insects. This cormorant forages for food by diving underwater, propelling itself by its feet. It is also known to forage in groups, with several birds beating the water with their wings to drive fish forward into shallows. Often perches with wings spread to dry them.
Habitat & Nesting
Monogamous and breed in colonies. The nest is a platform of sticks with a depression in the center circled with twigs and grass. Up to five chalky, bluish-white eggs are laid. The eggs soon become nest-stained. Both sexes incubate for about 25–30 days, and both parents feed the young until around the 11th week. By week 12, they are independent. One brood is raised per year.
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Range
Found throughout the American tropics and subtropics, from the Gulf and Californian coasts of the USA, south through Mexico and Central America to southern South America. It also breeds on the Bahamas, Cuba and Trinidad. Largely a permanent resident, with some birds occasionally wandering north in the warmer months.
Resources
