Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2011-26
| Common name: |
Neotropic Cormorant |
| Scientific name: | Phalacrocorax brasilianus |
| Date: | May 13, 2011 |
| Time: | 5:45 P.M. DST |
| Length of time observed: | 20 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | adult |
| Sex: | |
| Location: | Mill Race Pond. Approx. 5300 South 1100 West Taylorsville, Ut. (adjacent to Jordan River |
| County: | Salt Lake |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | 4300 ft |
| Distance to bird: | 30 yds |
| Optical equipment: | Nikon D300 DSLR camera, Nikon 80-400mm VR f4.5-5.6 lens |
| Weather: | Cool, calm |
| Light Conditions: | Late afternoon sun |
| Description: Size of bird: | 1/3 smaller that typical D.C. cormorant |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | cormorant shape |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | brown-black adult |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | NECO shaped |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
This NECO is approaching breeding plumage coloration. Currently (May 13-21) it presents the white V shaped border typical of adults. I have photo documented this bird 5 separate days between May 13 and 21, and postulate that it might become a summer resident as I experienced on this fishing pond last year (2010) with 7 of its species. Photos from May 13, 2011 are attached. |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | |
| Behavior: | Successfully catching stocked trout, then resting on a flotation device provided as part of the pond/fishery. |
| Habitat: | Popular fishing pond, regularly stocked with catchable sport fish, including trout, catfish, bass, bluegills. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Double Crested Cormorants, also present at the time of sighting. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
extensive first-hand experience with this species over a three year period in Salt Lake County beginning in 2009. |
| References consulted: | |
| Description from: | |
| Observer: | Richard B. Young |
| Observer's address: | Salt Lake City, Ut |
| Observer's e-mail address: | richbyoung@isp.com |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | none at the time of my first encounter (May 13). |
| Date prepared: | May 23, 2011 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional_Comments: | Thus far this year there have been only 2 NECOs reported in Utah, the first in Davis County (D.Wheeler); and this bird in Salt Lake County.This is in contrast to last year where multiple sightings occurred, with a sighting at this location that recorded 7 NECOs at once. |