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Subject:

Neotropic Cormorant

From:

Fred Shaffer

Reply-To:

Fred Shaffer

Date:

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 13:40:39 -0400

I agree with Leslie Starr's earlier post that many in the group on the evening of 6/20 felt fairly comfortable that we had found the Neotropic Cormorant.  The cormorant in question was located a few minutes after 8:10 PM and we were able to study it until the light gave out.  Although the bird was distant (as were all the cormorants), all the structural, size, and plumage field marks that were visible were consistent with a NECO.

More specifically, the cormorant was noticably smaller than all the surrounding Double-crested Cormorants.  This could be seen when the NECO was viewed at a level of magnification where the surrounding birds could also be seen.  The NECO was smaller and more slender than the eight or nine cormorants that were close enough for ready comparison.  This was apparent from various angles and positions over the time we viewed the bird.  The bird also had a tail that seemed longer in proportion to the rest of the body than the other birds.  The bill was also appeared to be thinner, shorter, and less brightly colored than the other birds, although this was particularly difficult to judge (and perhaps subjective).  Finally, the plumage of the bird was consistent with an immature NECO, having a decidedly brownish wash to the upper breast and neck, unlike the more pale breasted and more contrasty immature Double-crested Cormorants.

Admittedly, there was no "eureka" moment when everyone agreed that we had found the bird we were looking for, but I think that the marks that were seen and commented on over the 20 or so minutes that we viewed the bird were all consistent with the identification.   For the 2005 NECO, the definitive moment (at least for me) came when I saw the NECO in flight with several Double-crested Cormorants and the structural and size differences were really highlighted.  We did not see this bird in flight.  But, nothing in the field notes that I took contradict an identification of a NECO.  I should also note that I never got a good feel or view of the shape of the throat pouch, probably due to the distance and that the bird seemed to be constantly preening.  But, the size, structure, and plumage marks that were noted support a NECO, at least in my estimation.  

As Leslie stated, a further evaluation of the many photos taken may reveal something that we missed or wasn't evident in the field.  However, a preliminary look at Mark Hoffman's photos (at least in the view screen of his camera), seemed to support the NECO identification.  I look forward to seeing any discussion on the photos that were taken.

Fred Shaffer
Patuxent MOS