Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2013-32
| Common name: |
Neotropic Cormorant |
| Scientific name: | Phalacrocorax brasilianus |
| Date: | 4/4/13 |
| Time: | 2:30 PM |
| Length of time observed: | 15 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | Unknown |
| Location: | In the moat on the east side of the Provo airport about 1/4 of a mile south of the where you enter the dike road from 3110 West street in Provo. |
| County: | UT |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | ~4500' |
| Distance to bird: | ~30 yards |
| Optical equipment: | Cabela XT 8x42 binoculars and Nikon D5000 DSLR with 300mm f4 Nikon lens at 1.4x converter |
| Weather: | No wind, no precipitation, probably 65-70 degrees |
| Light Conditions: | Partly cloudy |
| Description: Size of bird: | About 2' long |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Cormorant shape |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Dark body, neck, and head. Green eyes. Yellow at base of bill, white feathers formed a thin white "V" shape at base of bill. Bill was gray from tip to just before reaching the eye and then becoming yellow. |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | long thin bill with sharp, down-curved tip on upper mandible. |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
First noticed the white "V" shape on the side of the face/bill. Used binoculars
and saw that the lores were dark and there was indeed a white border at the base
of the bill that went from just below the eye on one side, under the bill and to
the other eye. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | No sounds heard |
| Behavior: | Floating lazily in the moat. It was not feeding during the time I watched it |
| Habitat: | Fresh water moat lined with small trees. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Adult Double-crested Cormorant would have shown yellow rather than dark lores and would not have the white "V" at the base of the bill. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
I've seen Neotropic Cormorants several times a year over the past few years in Utah. I've seen them in Arizona several times. I've seen them side by side with Double-crested several times as well. |
| References consulted: | Sibley Guide. |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Jeff Cooper |
| Observer's address: | 3499 N 1270 W in Pleasant Grove, UT 84062 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Eric Huish spotted the bird the next morning and reported it. |
| Date prepared: | 4/5/13 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional_Comments: | Links to photos submitted to Eric Huish and Milt Moody via email |