Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2012-03
| Common name: |
Neotropic Cormorant |
| Scientific name: | Phalacrocorax brasilianus |
| Date: | 3-20-2012 |
| Time: | 2:10pm |
| Length of time observed: | 10 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | adult |
| Sex: | unknown |
| Location: | Buffalo Ranches Pond, Farmington |
| County: | Utah [Davis] |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | 4,200 |
| Distance to bird: | 50 yards |
| Optical equipment: | 10X50 Bushnell binoculars, Cannon SX20 Digital Camera |
| Weather: | sunny,clear 40F |
| Light Conditions: | great |
| Description: Size of bird: | 18inches |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | sleek diving bird |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | jet black with an olive bill |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | long,thin |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
First saw the bird in flight. My first impression was it was smaller than I
would expect a Double-crested Cormorant to be. After it landed on the water,I
looked at the base of the bill,and saw the white edging on the gape. It dove and
resurfaced several times, then toke off flying low to the north. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | none heard |
| Behavior: | in flight overhead,then landed on water and dove repeatedly,then flew off low across the water |
| Habitat: | freshwater pond |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Double-crested Cormorant,the only other cormorant in Utah,wouldn't have the white edging on the gape. Also they are larger. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Yes,I saw one adult in the same spot last May,originally seen and reported by Kristin Purdy. Also I saw them twice in 2010,one in April (juvenile), and 2 in July (adult and juvenile) |
| References consulted: | Sibley 2000 |
| Description from: | From memory |
| Observer: | Bryant Olsen |
| Observer's address: | 688 East 700 South SLC,UT 84102 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | bryant_olsen@yahoo.com |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | none |
| Date prepared: | 3-21-12 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional_Comments: | The photos are bad,but you can see the white if you look closely |