Alaska Species Explorer
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Bald Eagle -
Harlequin Duck -
Common Murre -
Horned Puffin -
Tufted Puffin -
King Eider -
Black Oystercatcher -
Common Merganser -
Marbled Murrelet -
Pelagic Cormorant -
Long Tailed Ducks -
Pigeon Guillemots -
Red-legged Kittiwake -
Rhinoceros Auklet -
Smew -
Spectacled Eider -
Steller’s Eider
All
x
- – No known individuals remaining.
- – Known only to survive in captivity, or as a naturalized population outside its historic range.
- – Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
- – High risk of extinction in the wild.
- – High risk of endangerment in the wild.
- – Likely to become endangered in the near future.
- – Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a higher risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
- – Not enough data to make an assessment of its risk of extinction.
- – Has not yet been evaluated against the criteria.
Pelagic Cormorant
x
- – No known individuals remaining.
- – Known only to survive in captivity, or as a naturalized population outside its historic range.
- – Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
- – High risk of extinction in the wild.
- – High risk of endangerment in the wild.
- – Likely to become endangered in the near future.
- – Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a higher risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
- – Not enough data to make an assessment of its risk of extinction.
- – Has not yet been evaluated against the criteria.
Common Name: Pelagic Cormorant
Scientific Name: Phalacrocorax pelagicus
Distribution:
In North America they are only found on the Pacific Coast. Range from the arctic waters of the Chukchi and Bering Seas, south along the North American Coast to Baja California. It also breeds along the Asian coast to southern China.
Conservation Status: Globally this species is stable, but the population in Alaska is of high concern.
Average Wingspan: 40-47 inches
Average Weight: 1370-2240 grams
Plumage Description:
Breeding adults have a patch of dark red skin around their eyes and base of the bill, a conspicuous white patch on each flank with purplish and greenish highlights.
Diet in the Wild: Fish and marine invertebrates.
Number of Eggs Per Clutch: 1-8 eggs
Habitat:
They nest in small dispersed colonies on cliffs of rocky islands and headlands, but also in sea caves, on driftwood logs, pilings, and man-made structures. Typically, they place their nests on narrow ledges and in shallow hollows on the steepest and tallest rock faces available, often in areas with other species of cormorants.
Threats in the Wild: Fishing nets, oil spills, human disturbance
Did you know?:
- The name Pelagic Cormorant is misleading as the species prefers near shore areas year round
