Cover photo: Brandt’s cormorant in flight. Picture © Paul Babb 2014.
The Brandt’s cormorants have been nesting on top of the remaining arch at Natural Bridges State Beach since late February. The Brandt’s cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatusis) is one of the most common birds seen along the Santa Cruz coast. They are named after the 19th century German naturalist, Johan Frederich von Brandt, who first described them in the 1930s.
A couple of years ago they nested just slightly east of the arch on a ledge where the pesky non-native ice plant had just been cleared. But for the last two years they have been on top of the iconic Santa Cruz arch.
The Brandt’s is recognizable by its shiny black plumage and long neck. Generally it has a buff-colored throat pouch. Early in the breeding season there is a hint of white feathers on the head, neck, and back. Later in the breeding season the pouch turns a brilliant blue.
Sources Used
- Birds: Channel Islands National Park. U.S. National Park Service Website. http://www.nps.gov/chis/naturescience/birds.htm.
- Birds. National Audubon Society Birds Website. http://birds.audubon.org/.
- Birds of North America. Whatbird.com Website. http://identify.whatbird.com/mwg/_/0/attrs.aspx.
- Personal Communication with Patrick Wilkinson. A Volunteer and Docent for Seymour Marine Discovery Center at Long Marine Lab and Bay Net, a volunteer organization under the auspices of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
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Do you know when the best time to see Brandt’s cormorants displaying is? I heard they might have a late year this year due to warm weather, would you happen to know how late is a late year? a couple weeks? days? thank you for any information you can give me
Hi Keith,
They usually start building their nests now. I will check with a few bird folks I know and get back to you.
Keith,
To follow up: My birder/photographer friend got back to me and said he has not seen any Brandt’s yet… although he did notice the crested cormorants are getting their breeding plumage already and it seems early for that. I have one more lead out and if he gets back to me I will let you know. Best, Julia