Flightless Cormorant

  • Galapagos Wildlife: Cormorant couple © Kevin Watson

    Cormorant couple © Kevin Watson

  • Flightless cormorant pair © Vanessa Green

    Cormorants © Vanessa Green

Species Data

Common Name Flightless cormorant
Scientific Name Phalacrocorax harrisi
Spanish Name Cormoran moncón
Conservation Status

Galapagos Graphics: IUCN Red List Vulnerable © Dan Wright

Vulnerable 

Endemic/Native/Introduced

Endemic 

Size 89-100cm
Average Lifespan up to 50 years
Predators On land snakes, owls and hawks are potential predators as well as introduced rats and cats. In sea they may be preyed on by sharks.
Food Piscivore (octopi, squid, eels and bottom-dwelling fish)
Animal Class Bird

Species Overview

 

This is the only flightless species of cormorant in the world and it has evolved only in Galapagos as a result of very few land predators. Flightless cormorants are found on the shores of Fernandina and Isabela islands, where they hunt close to shore. They are expert divers, often seizing their prey from the sea bed.

They are often seen holding their shriveled wings out in order to dry their feathers and warm up after hunting.

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Species Data
Common Name Flightless cormorant
Scientific Name Phalacrocorax harrisi
Spanish Name Cormoran moncón
Conservation Status

Galapagos Graphics: IUCN Red List Vulnerable © Dan Wright

Vulnerable 

Endemic / Native / Introduced

Endemic 

Size 89-100cm
Average Lifespan up to 50 years
Predators On land snakes, owls and hawks are potential predators as well as introduced rats and cats. In sea they may be preyed on by sharks.
Food Piscivore (octopi, squid, eels and bottom-dwelling fish)
Animal Class Bird