Neotropic Cormorant

Nannopterum brasilianum

Neotropic Cormorant (Nannopterum brasilianum) — Seabirds & Tubenoses of North America.

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Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

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Birds of Argentina Birds of Brazil Birds of Canada Birds of Colombia Birds of Costa Rica Birds of Ecuador Birds of Mexico Birds of Peru Birds of the United States Birds of Ontario

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The Neotropic Cormorant (Nannopterum brasilianum) is a member of the Phalacrocoracidae family found in Central America & Caribbean, North America and South America. Adults weigh 1.2 kg.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Suliformes
Family Phalacrocoracidae Cormorants, Shags
Genus Nannopterum
Species brasilianum

Where it lives

Widespread inland and coastal central, southern USA to Tierra del Fuego; Bahamas and Cuba

Quick facts

Weight: 1.2 kg
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Phalacrocoracidae
Order: Suliformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Indian Cormorant

Phalacrocorax fuscicollis

Not Evaluated

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Neotropic Cormorant hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Behaviour

A bird of wetlands, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.

Migration

The Neotropic Cormorant is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Neotropic Cormorant (Nannopterum brasilianum) is a species of bird in the Phalacrocoracidae family, part of the order Suliformes. It is found across Central America & Caribbean, North America and South America. Its distribution covers NA, MA, SA widespread inland and coastal c, s USA to Tierra del Fuego; Bahamas and Cuba.

It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1.2 kg, with a wing length of about 27.5 cm and a tail of around 18.7 cm.

Songs & calls

Neotropic Cormorant — Song

Recorded by Guillermo Treboux Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Neotropic Cormorant?

The Neotropic Cormorant is a very large bird that weighs around 1.2 kg.

Where does the Neotropic Cormorant live?

The Neotropic Cormorant is found across Central America & Caribbean, North America and South America with a range covering NA, MA, SA widespread inland and coastal c, s USA to Tierra del Fuego; Bahamas and Cuba, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Neotropic Cormorant belong to?

The Neotropic Cormorant (Nannopterum brasilianum) belongs to the Phalacrocoracidae family, in the order Suliformes.

What does the Neotropic Cormorant eat?

The Neotropic Cormorant hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Neotropic Cormorant migrate?

The Neotropic Cormorant is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

What sound does the Neotropic Cormorant make?

1 real field recording of the Neotropic Cormorant — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.