Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Neotropic Cormorant
Scientific name:	Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Date:	9/24/10
Time:	7:00 AM
Length of time observed:	30 minutes
Number:	2
Age:	Adult
Sex:
Location:	Sandy Urban Fishery in Sandy, Utah
County:	Salt Lake
Latilong:
Elevation:
Distance to bird:	As close as 20' from the bird as I stood on a small floating dock.
Optical equipment:	Nikon Action Series 10-25 x 50 Binoculars and a Nikon D5000 with AFS 70-300mm lens
Weather:	Warm and clear skies
Light Conditions:	Great of viewing and photography
Description: Size of bird:	Smaller than the Double-crested cormorants in the area.
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Similar to Double-crested with longer tail.
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Dark (mostly black with some brown)
(Description:) Bill Type:	long with hook at tip of upper mandible
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Both showed the white "V" shaped border at the base of the bill or chin patch. Lores were dark, not yellow. Photos have been submitted to Milt Moody to show the field marks above. One photo shows the bird later in the same day as it was fanning its wings. You can see the long tail, white "V" patch at base of the bill and the dark lores.
Song or call & method of delivery:
Behavior:	Both were diving to catch fish. They would fight over and eat the fish, swallowing them whole. Later the same day I observed them as they exited the water and fan their wings.
Habitat:	Small community pond containing an abundant supply of stocked trout.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Double-crested cormorants also visited the pond. They had yellow lores, were larger in side by side comparisons, and had shorter tails. The double-crested did not show the white "V" shaped chin patch.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	I've seen numerous double-crested cormorants and a few previous neotropic cormorants on similar community ponds.
References consulted:	The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America
Description from:	Notes taken at time of sighting
Observer:	Jeff Cooper
Observer's address:	3499 N 1270 W, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Observer's e-mail address:	jeffcooper7@gmail.com
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Rich Young and Ned Bixler
Date prepared:	4/7/12
Additional material:	Photos
Additional_Comments:	I was not aware of the process for submitting records at the time of the observation. This record is being submitted to make it a matter of public record.