Jeanne,

You're describing Pelagic Cormorants (Phalacrocorax pelagicus) very
well. These birds are fairly common and widespread nesters all along the
west coast, from Alaska to California (Tweeters - do they nest all the
way to Mexico?). The birds nest on cliffs, offshore rocks and islands as
well as on some structures (the Tillamook lighthouse in Oregon has
nesting P Corms, I believe - it certainly has Brandt's Corms).

In Washington, according to Steve Speich and Terry Wahl's seabird colony
catalog, they nest commonly at Cape Disappointment, and at Carroll, Tatoosh,
Protection, Smith, Colville and Castle Islands. They listed a population
of 4,866 breeding birds for the State in their 1989 report.

Although the 'common' name is "Pelagic", it is rarely seen away from the
immediate coast.

Good description of your bird. Often, the more 'experienced' birders
forget to look carefully and SEE the bird they are seeing. I am guilty
of this more times than I care to admit...

Jon. Anderson
Olympia, WA
anderjda at dfw.wa.gov


On Tue, 11 Apr 1995, Marrazzo wrote:

> Hi Tweeters,

>.... while I have seen the usual assortment of coastal birds on the
Peninsula and in the San Juans, I have never seen this bird: is it uncommon,
or is it more a function of what its name implies (that I would be more
likely to see it the farther seaward I was).
>
> Any thoughts are most welcome, on Tweeters or private email. Thanks!
>
> Jeanne Marrazzo
> <jmm2 at u.washington.edu>