Neotropic Cormorant

The Neotropic Cormorant is a slender, adaptable cormorant found across a vast range from the southern United States through Central America and much of South America. It is generally smaller and daintier than the Double-crested Cormorant, with which its range overlaps in parts of North America.

Appearance

Adults are all black with a subtle greenish gloss, a relatively long tail, and yellowish-brown facial skin bordered by a thin white line at the base of the bill during the breeding season. Non-breeding birds lack the crisp white border and appear more uniformly dark-faced.

Key field marks

• Smaller, slimmer build than the Double-crested Cormorant
• Long tail relative to body size
• Thin white line bordering the facial skin at the base of the bill in breeding plumage
• Yellowish-brown (not bright orange) facial skin

Similar species

Where it overlaps with the Double-crested Cormorant, the Neotropic Cormorant looks smaller and slimmer with a proportionally longer tail and a thinner, less extensive facial skin patch bordered by a thin white line in breeding season.

Habitat and range

Neotropic Cormorants occupy a broad range of freshwater and coastal habitats from the southern United States (Texas, the Gulf Coast, and parts of the Southwest) south through Mexico, Central America, and much of South America. They are highly adaptable, using everything from small ponds to large rivers, lakes, and coastal lagoons.

Most populations are resident, though some birds at the northern edge of the range may shift locally in response to seasonal conditions.

Behavior

Neotropic Cormorants forage by diving and pursuing fish and crustaceans underwater, often in relatively shallow freshwater habitats, and like other cormorants regularly perch with wings spread to dry.

Voice

Calls include low grunts and guttural croaks, given mainly near breeding colonies.

Nesting and breeding

They nest colonially in trees, shrubs, or on the ground, often alongside herons and egrets, building stick nests and typically laying three to four eggs.