Brandt's cormorant is a strictly marine bird of the cormorant family of seabirds that inhabits the Pacific coast of North America. It ranges, in the summer, from Alaska to the Gulf of California, but the population north of Vancouver Island migrates south during the winter. Its specific name, penicillatus is Latin for a painter's brush, in reference to white plumes on its neck and back during the early breeding season. The common name honors the German naturalist Johann Friedrich von Brandt of the Academy of Sciences at St. Petersburg, who described the species from specimens collected on expeditions to the Pacific during the early 19th century.
Region
Pacific coast of North America
Typical Environment
Found from Alaska to Baja California and into the Gulf of California, it remains close to the shoreline year-round. It frequents nearshore marine environments, including rocky reefs, kelp forests, bays, and harbors. Nesting occurs on sea cliffs, islands, and human-made structures, often in dense colonies. Northern populations shift south in winter, while central and southern populations tend to remain in place.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 100 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Brandt's cormorant is a strictly marine seabird of the Pacific coast of North America, famed for its vivid cobalt-blue throat pouch and white filamentous plumes during the breeding season. It is an adept pursuit diver, often descending to notable depths to chase schooling fish. Colonies commonly occupy sea cliffs, offshore rocks, and man-made structures like jetties and piers.
Two adults tend a nest. Both show blue throat patches characteristic of breeding plumage
Temperament
social and colonial
Flight Pattern
low over water with strong, rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Breeds in dense colonies on cliffs and offshore rocks, with both sexes building a nest from seaweed and other marine debris bound with guano. Pairs are seasonally monogamous, and both parents incubate and feed the young by regurgitation. Outside the breeding season, birds roost communally on rocks, buoys, and piers.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Generally quiet at sea; at colonies it gives low, guttural grunts and croaks. Vocalizations are most frequent during courtship and territorial interactions.
