Pelagic Cormorant (Urile pelagicus) is in the Cormorants and Shags family (Phalacrocoracidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 10,579 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
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 Pelagic Cormorant: observations by month (U.S.)
About Pelagic Cormorant
The pelagic cormorant (Urile pelagicus), also known as Baird's cormorant or violet-green cormorant, is a small member of the cormorant family Phalacrocoracidae. Analogous to other smallish cormorants, it is also called the pelagic shag occasionally. This seabird lives along the coasts of the northern Pacific; during winter it can also be found in the open ocean. Pelagic cormorants have relatively short wings due to their need for economical movement underwater, and consequently have the highest flight...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Pelagic Cormorant by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 5,019 | January | Dec–Nov |
| Washington | 3,110 | July | Jun–May |
| Oregon | 1,513 | July | Mar–Oct |
| Alaska | 937 | June | May–Sep |
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 Pelagic Cormorant?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from June to May.
Where is Pelagic Cormorant most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Washington, Oregon.