Pelagic Cormorant
If you're looking for an adventure in Alaska, you won't want to miss the opportunity to spot the Pelagic Cormorant. This sleek, black bird with piercing blue eyes is a not to be missed sight along the rocky coasts and islands of Kachemak Bay. While it may not be as well-known as Bald Eagles, Sea Otters, and Humpbacks, the Pelagic Cormorant is a fascinating creature with many interesting traits.
One of the most distinctive features of the Pelagic Cormorant is its bright blue eyes. These striking eyes are thought to be an adaptation that helps the bird see better in the dim light of the coastal waters where it spends much of its time. The Pelagic Cormorant is a seabird, which means it spends most of its life out on the ocean, only coming ashore to breed and raise its young. |
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In Kachemak Bay, we have a small colony of Pelagic Cormorants who nest on Gull Island each summer. They have to share space with the Puffins, and much more numerous Common Murre, Black-Legged Kittiwake, and Glaucous- Winged Gull. The cormorants often find their niche in the caves and recesses of the island, away from most of the other nesting birds.
The Pelagic Cormorant is a skilled swimmer and diver. It uses its powerful wings to propel itself underwater, where it can hunt for fish and other small prey. When it emerges from the water, it often spreads its wings out to dry in the sun, a behavior that is unique to cormorants.
If you're exploring Alaska on a luxury yacht, keep an eye out for Pelagic Cormorants perched on the rocky cliffs and islands that dot the coastline. These birds are known for their ability to cling to even the most precarious of perches, using their webbed feet to grip onto the rock surface. They are also known for their distinctive, raspy calls, which can often be heard echoing across the water.
While the Pelagic Cormorant may not be as iconic as some of Alaska's more well-known wildlife, it is still a fascinating creature to observe. Whether you're on a luxury cruise or simply exploring the rugged coastline on foot, keep an eye out for this sleek, black bird with the piercing blue eyes.
The Pelagic Cormorant is a skilled swimmer and diver. It uses its powerful wings to propel itself underwater, where it can hunt for fish and other small prey. When it emerges from the water, it often spreads its wings out to dry in the sun, a behavior that is unique to cormorants.
If you're exploring Alaska on a luxury yacht, keep an eye out for Pelagic Cormorants perched on the rocky cliffs and islands that dot the coastline. These birds are known for their ability to cling to even the most precarious of perches, using their webbed feet to grip onto the rock surface. They are also known for their distinctive, raspy calls, which can often be heard echoing across the water.
While the Pelagic Cormorant may not be as iconic as some of Alaska's more well-known wildlife, it is still a fascinating creature to observe. Whether you're on a luxury cruise or simply exploring the rugged coastline on foot, keep an eye out for this sleek, black bird with the piercing blue eyes.