The red-legged cormorant, also known as the red-legged shag, red-footed cormorant, red-footed shag, Gaimard's cormorant and grey cormorant, is a species of cormorant resident to the coastline of South America. It is the only member of the genus Poikilocarbo. It is non-colonial unlike most seabirds. The red-legged cormorant has not been observed wing-spreading, which is unusual among cormorant species.
Region
Pacific (and southern Atlantic) coasts of South America
Typical Environment
Found along the Humboldt Current from central Peru south through most of the Chilean coast, with a small disjunct population in southern Argentina. It favors rugged, rocky shorelines and offshore stacks where surf action is strong. Nests are placed on narrow cliff ledges and in crevices that are largely inaccessible to predators and humans. It usually forages within a few hundred meters of shore over kelp beds and rocky reefs and seldom enters sheltered estuaries.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 200 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the red-legged shag, it is the only member of the genus Poikilocarbo and is unusual among cormorants for being strongly non-colonial. It typically nests on steep, wave-battered coastal cliffs and ledges and is rarely seen far from shore. Unlike most cormorants, it has not been observed wing-spreading after dives. Its vivid red legs and facial skin make it one of the most distinctive coastal birds of the Humboldt Current.
Red legged cormorant as Graculus gaimardi in print from Iconographia Zoologica 1825-1838
Red-legged cormorants nest on steep rock faces such as this cliff on the Rio Deseado near Puerto Deseado, Argentina.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
strong flier, typically low over the water with rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Unlike most seabirds, it nests singly or in very small, well-spaced groups on cliff ledges. Pairs are monogamous during the breeding season and share incubation and chick-rearing duties. Nests are built from seaweed, sticks, and guano cement and are reused when possible.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Generally quiet at sea, it becomes more vocal at nest sites with low, guttural croaks and grunts. Calls are brief and coarse, used primarily in pair communication and territorial displays.
Plumage
Smooth slate-grey body with fine pale spangling on the wings and upperparts, darker head and neck, and a clean white throat patch extending onto the sides of the neck.
Diet
Primarily a pursuit-diver that takes small to medium-sized coastal fishes such as anchovies, silversides, and blennies. It also consumes small crustaceans and occasionally cephalopods. Dives are made from the surface, using powerful kicks to chase prey near rocky reefs and kelp beds. Prey is swallowed underwater or brought to the surface to manipulate.
Preferred Environment
Forages close to wave-washed rocks, kelp forests, and along cliff bases where upwelling concentrates fish. It avoids sandy open beaches and rarely ventures far offshore or into estuaries.
