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Red-legged Cormorant

The vivid red legs and face of this cormorant give it a striking appearance that make it unmistakable with any other seabird!

 

The red-legged cormorant is a medium-sized bird, measuring about 71–76 centimeters (28–30 inches) tall. Its plumage is mostly dark gray to silver grey with black tips, while its most eye-catching traits are its coral-red legs and feet as well as its brightly colored face and bill. It has a wide range, found along rocky coasts of southern South America from Peru to Chile and Argentina.

These birds come together in loose groups to build their nests on vertical ledges, rocky inlets, or sea caves along these coastline cliffs. These specially chosen sites help keep both adults and their young safe from ground predators. However, these nests are not completely safe: other seabirds like kelp gulls and dolphin gulls are known to prey on red-legged cormorant eggs and chicks. While they nest in small groups, red-legged cormorants typically forage alone, diving in shallow waters to hunt for fish and invertebrates to eat.

 

 

Red-legged cormorants face multiple threats derived from interactions with fisheries. They can become entangled in fishing gear, and competition with fishers can also reduce the availability of their prey. High levels of activity along the coasts where they live, especially by shellfish and kelp gatherers, can also impact their food sources and disturb their habitat. Hunting by fishers, although infrequent, can further threaten local populations of these birds.

 

 

 

 

  • Frere E and Gandini, P. (2001) Aspects of the Breeding Biology of the Red-legged Cormorant Phalacrocorax Gaimardi on the Atlantic Coast of South America. Marine Ornithology 29: 67-70. DOI:10.5038/2074-1235.29.2.499 
  • Gandini, P, Frere, E, and Quintana, F. (2005) Feeding Performance and Foraging Area of the Red-Legged Cormorant. Waterbirds 28: 41-45.  
  • IUCN Red List 
  • Millones A and Frere, E. (2017) How nest site characteristics influence breeding success in Red-legged Cormorants Phalacrocorax gaimardi. Acta Ornithologica 52: 239-244. DOI 10.3161/00016454AO2017.52.2.011 
  • Oceana: The Depths of Disinformation 
  • Zavalaga C, Frere E, and Gandini P. (2009) Status of the Red-legged Cormorant in Peru: What Factors Affect Distribution and Numbers? Waterbirds 25: 8-15. DOI:10.1675/1524-4695(2002)025[0008:SOTRCI]2.0.CO;2 

 

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