
Pelagic Cormorant

by KJ Swan
Title
Pelagic Cormorant
Artist
KJ Swan
Medium
Photograph
Description
Although they emerge from their pale blue eggs naked, it only takes a few days for the Pelagic Cormorant to grow gray down-feathers.
In 45 to 60 days, the fully feathered, golden-brown cormorant fledglings will begin to dive deep into the ocean to catch small fish, crabs, shrimp and ocean worms without any help from it's parents. As this juvenile matures, it's feathers will darken to black with violet and green highlights. He or she will also master diving to depths up to 180 feet/55m while holding its breath for 2 minutes.
If the Pelagic Cormorant (also called Baird's Cormorant, Pelagic Shag, Violet-green Cormorant or Phalacrocorax pelagicus) were bright yellow-orange-red, it might be mistaken for a mythical phoenix for when it emerges from the sea, it instantly takes flight.
Uploaded
June 16th, 2021
Embed
Share