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Birds of Zihuatanejo

CLASS AVES

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Chordates (Phylum Chordata)

-Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)

-Birds (Class Aves)

-Gannets, Cormorants, and Allies (Order Suliformes)

-Cormorants and Shags (Family Phalacrocoracidae)

-American Cormorants (Genus Nannopterum)

-Neotropic Cormorant (Nannopterum brasilianum)


The Neotropic Cormorant lives in the most southern regions of all the cormorants seen in the North America. It is sometimes referred to as the Mexican Cormorant. Neotropic Cormorants are found both in coastal waters and inland fresh water or brackish water. They may be found in a wide variety of habitats, particularly outside of the breeding season. They tend to hunt shallower waters than some other cormorant species. Neotropic Cormorants mostly feed on small fish, but are opportunistic and will take other vertebrates and invertebrates if the opportunity arises. This may include frogs, tadpoles, insects, and crustaceans.

Neotropic Cormorant

Nannopterum brasilianum

Diet

  • Primarily small fish, including minnows, cichlids, mullet, and other freshwater and coastal species.

  • Also feeds on shrimp, crayfish, crabs, frogs, tadpoles, aquatic insects, and occasionally small snakes.

  • Hunts by diving underwater and pursuing prey with its feet, often foraging alone or in small groups.

Range

  • Found from the southern United States through Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and much of South America to Tierra del Fuego.

  • Widespread throughout Mexico, including the Zihuatanejo region, where it is a common year-round resident.

  • Inhabits rivers, lakes, reservoirs, marshes, mangroves, estuaries, coastal lagoons, harbours, and sheltered coastal waters.

  • Frequently perches with its wings spread to dry after diving.

Male / Female

  • Male: Glossy black plumage with a slight greenish or bluish sheen, long tail, slender hooked bill, and a small patch of yellow-orange bare skin at the base of the bill. Slightly larger than the female.

  • Female: Nearly identical in appearance but generally smaller and more slender.

  • Juveniles: Brownish upperparts with a paler buff to whitish throat and breast.

  • Sexes cannot be reliably distinguished in the field except by subtle size differences.

Size

  • Length: 64–74 cm (25–29 in)

  • Wingspan: 95–109 cm (37–43 in)

  • Weight: 900–1,500 g (2.0–3.3 lb)

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