Brandt's Cormorant (Urile penicillatus) is in the Cormorants and Shags family (Phalacrocoracidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 19,415 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Brandt's Cormorant: observations by month (U.S.)
About Brandt's Cormorant
Brandt's cormorant (Urile penicillatus) is a strictly marine bird of the cormorant family of seabirds that inhabits the Pacific coast of North America. It ranges, in the summer, from Alaska to the Gulf of California, but the population north of Vancouver Island migrates south during the winter. Its specific name, penicillatus is Latin for a painter's brush (pencil of hairs), in reference to white plumes on its neck and back during the early breeding season. The...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Brandt's Cormorant by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 17,915 | April | Mar–Feb |
| Oregon | 850 | July | Apr–Sep |
| Washington | 646 | April | Mar–Feb |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Cormorants and Shags)
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Brandt's Cormorant?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from March to February.
Where is Brandt's Cormorant most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Oregon, Washington.