Waterbirds

Pelagic Cormorant

Urile pelagicus

The smallest and slimmest cormorant in North America, with glossy dark plumage showing green and violet iridescence in good light. In breeding season, adults develop white flank patches and small red face patches.

Current regional viewing notes

Rocky shorelines, pilings, and nearshore waters around Hoonah and throughout Icy Strait; often seen drying wings on rocks.

Dataset note: This legacy field can be specific to Southeast Alaska/Hoonah and is not a complete statewide range statement.

Habitat

Rocky coastlines, harbor structures, and nearshore waters.

Diet

Small fish and crustaceans caught by diving from the surface.

Natural history note

Despite its name, the Pelagic Cormorant is rarely found in the open ocean — it forages close to shore and is the least pelagic of all cormorants.