🕷️ Crawler Inspector

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Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 51 (from laksa143)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa051.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical, ml_categories_json AS ml_categories_json, ml_types_json AS ml_types_json, ml_intent_types_json AS ml_intent_types_json, meta_language AS meta_language, attrs_author AS attrs_author, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(attrs_publish_time), 0) AS attrs_publish_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(attrs_original_publish_time), 0) AS attrs_original_publish_time, ifNull(attrs_is_republished, 0) AS attrs_is_republished, ifNull(attrs_nr_words, 0) AS attrs_nr_words, ifNull(attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words, 0) AS attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words, ifNull(body_ext_links_number, 0) AS body_ext_links_number, ifNull(body_int_links_number, 0) AS body_int_links_number, ifNull(meta_nofollow, 0) AS meta_nofollow, ifNull(meta_noarchive, 0) AS meta_noarchive, ifNull(props_was_rendered, 0) AS props_was_rendered, ifNull(src_redirect, \'\') AS src_redirect, ifNull(download_time_msec, 0) AS download_time_msec, ifNull(download_ttfb_msec, 0) AS download_ttfb_msec, ifNull(download_size, 0) AS download_size FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/brandts-cormorant\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/brandts-cormorant\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/field-guide\/bird\/brandts-cormorant","crawl_time":1775447316,"first_indexed_time":1451248061,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"org,audubon!www,\/field-guide\/bird\/brandts-cormorant s443","src_root_hash":"15636125295402599651","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Brandt's Cormorant | Audubon Field Guide","meta_descriptions":["Along the Pacific Coast, the Brandt's Cormorant is a common resident of wave-washed rocks and offshore waters. Sociable at all seasons, it is often seen flying in long lines low over the water..."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"At a Glance\nAlong the Pacific Coast, the Brandt's Cormorant is a common resident of wave-washed rocks and offshore waters. Sociable at all seasons, it is often seen flying in long lines low over the water. Groups roost together on rocks near water, and feed in flocks offshore, often associating with other seabirds.\nAll bird guide text and rangemaps adapted from\nLives of North American Birds\nby Kenn Kaufman© 1996, used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.\nCategory\nCormorants, Upright-perching Water Birds\nIUCN Status\nLeast Concern\nHabitat\nCoasts and Shorelines, Open Ocean, Saltwater Wetlands\nRegion\nAlaska and The North, California, Northwest, Western Canada\nBehavior\nDirect Flight, Swimming\nPopulation\n150.000\nRange & Identification\nMigration & Range Maps\nMostly permanent resident. Some local movements; birds nesting on Farallon Islands off California mostly absent in winter, perhaps going to adjacent mainland. In southeastern Alaska, apparently only a summer resident in very small numbers. Sometimes wanders along Mexican coast south of breeding range. Almost never found inland.\nDescription\nSexes similar; male slightly larger — Length: 2 ft 5 in-2 ft 10 in (76-86 cm); wingspan: 3 ft 11 in-4 ft 5 in (1.2-1.3 m); weight: 3 lb 8 oz-5 lb 8 oz (1.6-2.5 kg). The Brandt's Cormorant is bulky and dark, usually looking quite plain. Bare skin of throat pouch turns bright blue in breeding season, but this is hard to see; more noticeable is pale buff band across throat. Immatures are mostly plain dark brown, somewhat paler below.\nSize\nAbout the size of a Heron, About the size of a Mallard or Herring Gull\nColor\nBlack, Blue, Brown, Yellow\nWing Shape\nBroad, Rounded\nTail Shape\nLong, Rounded, Wedge-shaped\nSongs and Calls\nCroaks and grunts.\nCall Pattern\nFlat, Simple\nCall Type\nCroak\/Quack\nHabitat\nOcean, coast. Almost always on salt water, entering brackish water at mouths of estuaries. May forage fairly close to shore or well out at sea. Nests on islands and locally on mainland, mostly on slopes rather than ledges of vertical cliffs.\nSign up for Audubon's newsletter to learn more about birds like the Brandt's Cormorant\nBehavior\nEggs\nA Brandt's Cormorant generally lays 4 eggs, sometimes 3-6. The eggs are whitish to pale blue, becoming nest-stained. Incubation is by both sexes, incubation period unknown.\nYoung\nBoth parents feed young, by regurgitation. Age at first flight unknown.\nFeeding Behavior\nReportedly able to dive deep, perhaps more than 150 ft below surface. The Brandt's Cormorant forages singly or in groups, sometimes in association with sea lions. May forage at all levels from near surface to near bottom, perhaps mostly the latter.\nDiet\nThe Brandt's Cormorant eats a wide variety of fish, including herring, rockfish; also some shrimp, crabs.\nNesting\nBreeds in colonies. Male chooses nest site and displays there to ward off rivals and attract mate. Displays include drawing head back with blue throat pouch extended and bill pointed upward, spreading tail, and fluttering wings; also thrusting head forward and downward in rapid repeated strokes. Nest:  Site is on ground, either level or steeply sloped. Nest is mound of seaweed, eelgrass, algae, cemented by droppings. Most nest material is obtained underwater; male does most of gathering, female does most of building. Pair may use same nest every year, adding to it annually.\nConservation\nConservation Status\nLocal Brandt's Cormorant populations fluctuate, but overall numbers probably stable.\nChange in Abundance Over Time\nDrawing on more than a century of community science from the Christmas Bird Count (CBC), this chart shows how this species’ relative abundance has shifted in recent decades.\nExplore more and get involved in the CBC\n.\nClimate Threats Facing the Brandt's Cormorant\nChoose a temperature scenario below to see which threats will affect this species as warming increases. The same climate change-driven threats that put birds at risk will affect other wildlife and people, too.","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to main content](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/field-guide\/bird\/brandts-cormorant#main)\n\n- Menu\n- [Audubon](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/)\n- [Magazine](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/audubonmagazine)\n- [Español](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/field-guide\/bird\/brandts-cormorant)\n- Our Work\n  - Protecting Bird Habitats\n    - [Coasts and Oceans](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/our-work\/coasts-and-oceans)\n    - [Rivers, Lakes, and Wetlands](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/our-work\/rivers-lakes-wetlands)\n    - [Grasslands, Aridlands, and Forests](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/our-work\/prairies-and-forests)\n    - [Boreal Forest of Canada](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/our-work\/americas\/canada\/boreal-forests)\n    - [Cities, Towns, and Parks](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/our-work\/cities-and-towns)\n    - [Latin America and the Caribbean](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/our-work\/americas)\n    - 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Photo: Steve Torna\/Audubon Photography Awards\n\n![](https:\/\/media.audubon.org\/nas_birdapi\/a1_4558_1_brandts_cormorant_joseph_galkowski_kk_breeding_adult.jpg?height=472&auto=webp&quality=10&fit=bounds&disable=upscale&blur=100)\n\nBreeding adult. Photo: Joseph Galkowski\/Audubon Photography Awards\n\n![](https:\/\/media.audubon.org\/nas_birdapi\/brandts_cormorant_002_flickr_fall_california_juvenile.jpg?height=472&auto=webp&quality=10&fit=bounds&disable=upscale&blur=100)\n\nJuvenile. Photo: budgora\/Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)\n\n![](https:\/\/media.audubon.org\/nas_birdapi\/a1_4826_5_brandts_cormorant_joanne_bartkus_kk_non-breeding_adult.jpg?height=472&auto=webp&quality=10&fit=bounds&disable=upscale&blur=100)\n\nNon-breeding adult. Photo: Joanne Bartkus\/Audubon Photography Awards\n\n![](https:\/\/media.audubon.org\/nas_birdapi\/a1_6061_4_brandts_cormorant_steve_torna_adult_and_nestling.jpg?height=472&auto=webp&quality=10&fit=bounds&disable=upscale&blur=100)\n\nAdult and nestling. Photo: Steve Torna\/Audubon Photography Awards\n\n![](https:\/\/media.audubon.org\/nas_birdapi\/a1_6134_2_brandts_cormorant_sandrine_biziaux-scherson_breeding_adult.jpg?height=472&auto=webp&quality=10&fit=bounds&disable=upscale&blur=100)\n\nBreeding adult Photo: Sandrine Biziaux-Scherson\/Audubon Photography Awards\n\n![](https:\/\/media.audubon.org\/nas_birdapi\/brandts_cormorant_001_flickr_winter_california_breeding_adults.jpg?height=472&auto=webp&quality=10&fit=bounds&disable=upscale&blur=100)\n\nBreeding adults. Photo: Jan Arendtsz\/Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0)\n\n![](https:\/\/media.audubon.org\/nas_birdapi\/gbbc_brandts_cormorants_and_pelagic_cormorants_jason_taylor_wa_2012_kk_adults.jpg?height=472&auto=webp&quality=10&fit=bounds&disable=upscale&blur=100)\n\nBrandt's Cormorants and Pelagic Cormorants adults. Photo: Jason Taylor\/Great Backyard Bird Count\n\n![](https:\/\/media.audubon.org\/nas_birdapi_hero\/h_a1_6062_1_brandts-cormorant_steve_torna_breeding-adult.jpg?width=142&height=142&auto=webp&quality=10&fit=crop&enable=upscale&blur=100)\n\nBrandt's Cormorant\n\nUrile penicillatus\n\n[At a Glance](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/field-guide\/bird\/brandts-cormorant#at_a_glance \"Move to At a Glance\") [Range & Identification](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/field-guide\/bird\/brandts-cormorant#range_and_identification \"Move to Range & Identification\") [Behavior](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/field-guide\/bird\/brandts-cormorant#behavior \"Move to Behavior\") [Conservation](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/field-guide\/bird\/brandts-cormorant#climate_vulnerability \"Move to Conservation\") [Explore More](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/field-guide\/bird\/brandts-cormorant#explore_more \"Move to Explore More\") [Back to Top](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/field-guide\/bird\/brandts-cormorant#main)\n\n## At a Glance\nAlong the Pacific Coast, the Brandt's Cormorant is a common resident of wave-washed rocks and offshore waters. Sociable at all seasons, it is often seen flying in long lines low over the water. Groups roost together on rocks near water, and feed in flocks offshore, often associating with other seabirds.\n\nAll bird guide text and rangemaps adapted from [Lives of North American Birds](http:\/\/www.kaufmanfieldguides.com\/) by Kenn Kaufman© 1996, used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.\n\nCategory\n\nCormorants, Upright-perching Water Birds\n\nIUCN Status\n\nLeast Concern\n\nHabitat\n\nCoasts and Shorelines, Open Ocean, Saltwater Wetlands\n\nRegion\n\nAlaska and The North, California, Northwest, Western Canada\n\nBehavior\n\nDirect Flight, Swimming\n\nPopulation\n\n150\\.000\n\n## Range & Identification\n### Migration & Range Maps\nMostly permanent resident. Some local movements; birds nesting on Farallon Islands off California mostly absent in winter, perhaps going to adjacent mainland. In southeastern Alaska, apparently only a summer resident in very small numbers. Sometimes wanders along Mexican coast south of breeding range. Almost never found inland.\n\n### Description\nSexes similar; male slightly larger — Length: 2 ft 5 in-2 ft 10 in (76-86 cm); wingspan: 3 ft 11 in-4 ft 5 in (1.2-1.3 m); weight: 3 lb 8 oz-5 lb 8 oz (1.6-2.5 kg). The Brandt's Cormorant is bulky and dark, usually looking quite plain. Bare skin of throat pouch turns bright blue in breeding season, but this is hard to see; more noticeable is pale buff band across throat. Immatures are mostly plain dark brown, somewhat paler below.\n\nSize\n\nAbout the size of a Heron, About the size of a Mallard or Herring Gull\n\nColor\n\nBlack, Blue, Brown, Yellow\n\nWing Shape\n\nBroad, Rounded\n\nTail Shape\n\nLong, Rounded, Wedge-shaped\n\n### Songs and Calls\nCroaks and grunts.\n\nCall Pattern\n\nFlat, Simple\n\nCall Type\n\nCroak\/Quack\n\n### Habitat\nOcean, coast. Almost always on salt water, entering brackish water at mouths of estuaries. May forage fairly close to shore or well out at sea. Nests on islands and locally on mainland, mostly on slopes rather than ledges of vertical cliffs.\n\nSign up for Audubon's newsletter to learn more about birds like the Brandt's Cormorant\n\n## Behavior\n### Eggs\nA Brandt's Cormorant generally lays 4 eggs, sometimes 3-6. The eggs are whitish to pale blue, becoming nest-stained. Incubation is by both sexes, incubation period unknown.\n\n### Young\nBoth parents feed young, by regurgitation. Age at first flight unknown.\n\n### Feeding Behavior\nReportedly able to dive deep, perhaps more than 150 ft below surface. The Brandt's Cormorant forages singly or in groups, sometimes in association with sea lions. May forage at all levels from near surface to near bottom, perhaps mostly the latter.\n\n### Diet\nThe Brandt's Cormorant eats a wide variety of fish, including herring, rockfish; also some shrimp, crabs.\n\n### Nesting\nBreeds in colonies. Male chooses nest site and displays there to ward off rivals and attract mate. Displays include drawing head back with blue throat pouch extended and bill pointed upward, spreading tail, and fluttering wings; also thrusting head forward and downward in rapid repeated strokes. Nest: Site is on ground, either level or steeply sloped. Nest is mound of seaweed, eelgrass, algae, cemented by droppings. Most nest material is obtained underwater; male does most of gathering, female does most of building. Pair may use same nest every year, adding to it annually.\n\n## Conservation\n### Conservation Status\nLocal Brandt's Cormorant populations fluctuate, but overall numbers probably stable.\n\nChange in Abundance Over Time\n\nDrawing on more than a century of community science from the Christmas Bird Count (CBC), this chart shows how this species’ relative abundance has shifted in recent decades. [Explore more and get involved in the CBC](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/community-science\/christmas-bird-count).\n\n### Climate Map\nAudubon’s scientists have used 140 million bird observations and sophisticated climate models to project how climate change will affect the range of the Brandt's Cormorant. Learn even more in [Audubon’s Survival By Degrees project](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/climate\/survivalbydegrees).\n\n### Climate Threats Facing the Brandt's Cormorant\nChoose a temperature scenario below to see which threats will affect this species as warming increases. The same climate change-driven threats that put birds at risk will affect other wildlife and people, too.\n\n## Explore More\n### Murals, Art, and Culture\nArtists throughout history and across the U.S. have captured this bird in murals, books, and museum hangings. See what they’ve done:\n\n[Audubon](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/)\n\n- Discover\n  - [Who We Are](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/about)\n  - [Our History](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/about\/history)\n  - [Leadership & Board of Directors](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/about\/audubon-leaders)\n  - [Notice of Annual Meeting](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/about\/2026-audubon-annual-meeting-of-members)\n  - [Reports & Financials](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/about\/reports-financials)\n  - [Audubon Action Fund](https:\/\/audubonactionfund.org\/)\n- Connect\n  - [Work With Us](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/about\/careers)\n  - [Fellowships](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/work-us\/fellowships-audubon)\n  - [Press Room](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/menu\/press-room)\n  - [Contact Us](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/take-action\/contact-us)\n  - [Sign up for SMS updates](https:\/\/act.audubon.org\/a\/receive-text-updates-audubon?ms=digital-acq-web-website_nas-x-20240400-web-footer&aud_path=%2Ffield-guide%2Fbird%2Fbrandts-cormorant&aud_cta=global_footer)\n- Support Us\n  - [Audubon Near You](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/about\/audubon-near-you)\n  - [Audubon Products](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/marketplace)\n  - [Donate Now](https:\/\/act.audubon.org\/a\/donate-temp?ms=digital-fund-web-website_nas_footer_20240100&aud_cta=footer_donate-now&aud_path=%2Ffield-guide%2Fbird%2Fbrandts-cormorant)\n  - [Legacy Gifts](https:\/\/legacy.audubon.org\/)\n  - [Renew Membership](https:\/\/act.audubon.org\/a\/renew?ms=digital-fund-web-website_nas_footer_20240100&aud_cta=footer_renew&aud_path=%2Ffield-guide%2Fbird%2Fbrandts-cormorant)\n\n[Charity Navigator](https:\/\/www.charitynavigator.org\/ein\/131624102)\n\n© 2026 National Audubon Society\n\n- [Legal Notices](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/es\/fotografia\/premios\/avisos-legales)\n- [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/privacy-policy)\n- [Contact Us](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/es\/comuniquese_con_nosotros)\n\nJoin our mission\n\nGet the Latest Bird Conservation News\n\nThank you for signing up\\!\n\nGreat Egret. Photo: Melissa Groo\/Audubon Photography Awards\n\n¡Atención\\!\n\nLa página que intenta visitar sólo está disponible en inglés. ¡Disculpa\\!\n\nThe page you are about to visit is currently only available in English. Sorry\\!\n\n![](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/modules\/custom\/nas_blocks\/img\/pinguin.png)\n\nOK\n\n![](https:\/\/px.adentifi.com\/Pixels?a_id=10258;p_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.audubon.org%2Ffield-guide%2Fbird%2Fbrandts-cormorant;uq=818297146911.5164) ![](https:\/\/px.adentifi.com\/Pixels?a_id=10831;p_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.audubon.org%2Ffield-guide%2Fbird%2Fbrandts-cormorant;uq=9378787658063.611)","attrs_readable_markdown":"## At a Glance\nAlong the Pacific Coast, the Brandt's Cormorant is a common resident of wave-washed rocks and offshore waters. Sociable at all seasons, it is often seen flying in long lines low over the water. Groups roost together on rocks near water, and feed in flocks offshore, often associating with other seabirds.\n\nAll bird guide text and rangemaps adapted from [Lives of North American Birds](http:\/\/www.kaufmanfieldguides.com\/) by Kenn Kaufman© 1996, used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.\n\nCategory\n\nCormorants, Upright-perching Water Birds\n\nIUCN Status\n\nLeast Concern\n\nHabitat\n\nCoasts and Shorelines, Open Ocean, Saltwater Wetlands\n\nRegion\n\nAlaska and The North, California, Northwest, Western Canada\n\nBehavior\n\nDirect Flight, Swimming\n\nPopulation\n\n150\\.000\n\n## Range & Identification\n### Migration & Range Maps\nMostly permanent resident. Some local movements; birds nesting on Farallon Islands off California mostly absent in winter, perhaps going to adjacent mainland. In southeastern Alaska, apparently only a summer resident in very small numbers. Sometimes wanders along Mexican coast south of breeding range. Almost never found inland.\n\n### Description\nSexes similar; male slightly larger — Length: 2 ft 5 in-2 ft 10 in (76-86 cm); wingspan: 3 ft 11 in-4 ft 5 in (1.2-1.3 m); weight: 3 lb 8 oz-5 lb 8 oz (1.6-2.5 kg). The Brandt's Cormorant is bulky and dark, usually looking quite plain. Bare skin of throat pouch turns bright blue in breeding season, but this is hard to see; more noticeable is pale buff band across throat. Immatures are mostly plain dark brown, somewhat paler below.\n\nSize\n\nAbout the size of a Heron, About the size of a Mallard or Herring Gull\n\nColor\n\nBlack, Blue, Brown, Yellow\n\nWing Shape\n\nBroad, Rounded\n\nTail Shape\n\nLong, Rounded, Wedge-shaped\n\n### Songs and Calls\nCroaks and grunts.\n\nCall Pattern\n\nFlat, Simple\n\nCall Type\n\nCroak\/Quack\n\n### Habitat\nOcean, coast. Almost always on salt water, entering brackish water at mouths of estuaries. May forage fairly close to shore or well out at sea. Nests on islands and locally on mainland, mostly on slopes rather than ledges of vertical cliffs.\n\nSign up for Audubon's newsletter to learn more about birds like the Brandt's Cormorant\n\n## Behavior\n### Eggs\nA Brandt's Cormorant generally lays 4 eggs, sometimes 3-6. The eggs are whitish to pale blue, becoming nest-stained. Incubation is by both sexes, incubation period unknown.\n\n### Young\nBoth parents feed young, by regurgitation. Age at first flight unknown.\n\n### Feeding Behavior\nReportedly able to dive deep, perhaps more than 150 ft below surface. The Brandt's Cormorant forages singly or in groups, sometimes in association with sea lions. May forage at all levels from near surface to near bottom, perhaps mostly the latter.\n\n### Diet\nThe Brandt's Cormorant eats a wide variety of fish, including herring, rockfish; also some shrimp, crabs.\n\n### Nesting\nBreeds in colonies. Male chooses nest site and displays there to ward off rivals and attract mate. Displays include drawing head back with blue throat pouch extended and bill pointed upward, spreading tail, and fluttering wings; also thrusting head forward and downward in rapid repeated strokes. Nest: Site is on ground, either level or steeply sloped. Nest is mound of seaweed, eelgrass, algae, cemented by droppings. Most nest material is obtained underwater; male does most of gathering, female does most of building. Pair may use same nest every year, adding to it annually.\n\n## Conservation\n### Conservation Status\nLocal Brandt's Cormorant populations fluctuate, but overall numbers probably stable.\n\nChange in Abundance Over Time\n\nDrawing on more than a century of community science from the Christmas Bird Count (CBC), this chart shows how this species’ relative abundance has shifted in recent decades. [Explore more and get involved in the CBC](https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/community-science\/christmas-bird-count).\n\n### Climate Threats Facing the Brandt's Cormorant\nChoose a temperature scenario below to see which threats will affect this species as warming increases. 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Brandt's Cormorant | Audubon Field Guide

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Along the Pacific Coast, the Brandt's Cormorant is a common resident of wave-washed rocks and offshore waters. Sociable at all seasons, it is often seen flying in long lines low over the water...

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At a Glance Along the Pacific Coast, the Brandt's Cormorant is a common resident of wave-washed rocks and offshore waters. Sociable at all seasons, it is often seen flying in long lines low over the water. Groups roost together on rocks near water, and feed in flocks offshore, often associating with other seabirds. All bird guide text and rangemaps adapted from Lives of North American Birds by Kenn Kaufman© 1996, used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Category Cormorants, Upright-perching Water Birds IUCN Status Least Concern Habitat Coasts and Shorelines, Open Ocean, Saltwater Wetlands Region Alaska and The North, California, Northwest, Western Canada Behavior Direct Flight, Swimming Population 150.000 Range & Identification Migration & Range Maps Mostly permanent resident. Some local movements; birds nesting on Farallon Islands off California mostly absent in winter, perhaps going to adjacent mainland. In southeastern Alaska, apparently only a summer resident in very small numbers. Sometimes wanders along Mexican coast south of breeding range. Almost never found inland. Description Sexes similar; male slightly larger — Length: 2 ft 5 in-2 ft 10 in (76-86 cm); wingspan: 3 ft 11 in-4 ft 5 in (1.2-1.3 m); weight: 3 lb 8 oz-5 lb 8 oz (1.6-2.5 kg). The Brandt's Cormorant is bulky and dark, usually looking quite plain. Bare skin of throat pouch turns bright blue in breeding season, but this is hard to see; more noticeable is pale buff band across throat. Immatures are mostly plain dark brown, somewhat paler below. Size About the size of a Heron, About the size of a Mallard or Herring Gull Color Black, Blue, Brown, Yellow Wing Shape Broad, Rounded Tail Shape Long, Rounded, Wedge-shaped Songs and Calls Croaks and grunts. Call Pattern Flat, Simple Call Type Croak/Quack Habitat Ocean, coast. Almost always on salt water, entering brackish water at mouths of estuaries. May forage fairly close to shore or well out at sea. Nests on islands and locally on mainland, mostly on slopes rather than ledges of vertical cliffs. Sign up for Audubon's newsletter to learn more about birds like the Brandt's Cormorant Behavior Eggs A Brandt's Cormorant generally lays 4 eggs, sometimes 3-6. The eggs are whitish to pale blue, becoming nest-stained. Incubation is by both sexes, incubation period unknown. Young Both parents feed young, by regurgitation. Age at first flight unknown. Feeding Behavior Reportedly able to dive deep, perhaps more than 150 ft below surface. The Brandt's Cormorant forages singly or in groups, sometimes in association with sea lions. May forage at all levels from near surface to near bottom, perhaps mostly the latter. Diet The Brandt's Cormorant eats a wide variety of fish, including herring, rockfish; also some shrimp, crabs. Nesting Breeds in colonies. Male chooses nest site and displays there to ward off rivals and attract mate. Displays include drawing head back with blue throat pouch extended and bill pointed upward, spreading tail, and fluttering wings; also thrusting head forward and downward in rapid repeated strokes. Nest: Site is on ground, either level or steeply sloped. Nest is mound of seaweed, eelgrass, algae, cemented by droppings. Most nest material is obtained underwater; male does most of gathering, female does most of building. Pair may use same nest every year, adding to it annually. Conservation Conservation Status Local Brandt's Cormorant populations fluctuate, but overall numbers probably stable. Change in Abundance Over Time Drawing on more than a century of community science from the Christmas Bird Count (CBC), this chart shows how this species’ relative abundance has shifted in recent decades. Explore more and get involved in the CBC . Climate Threats Facing the Brandt's Cormorant Choose a temperature scenario below to see which threats will affect this species as warming increases. The same climate change-driven threats that put birds at risk will affect other wildlife and people, too.

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Zip Code Change Use My Location No Audubon locations nearby [Explore our locations](https://www.audubon.org/about/audubon-near-you) ### Nearest Centers and Sanctuaries ### Nearest Chapters ### State Office ### More Near You - [Donate](https://act.audubon.org/a/donate?SelectedFrequency=6&ms=digital-fund-web-website_nas-topmenu_donateblue_20240100&aud_cta=top-nav_primary-btn&aud_path=%2Ffield-guide%2Fbird%2Fbrandts-cormorant) Open Search [Bird Guide](https://www.audubon.org/bird-guide)[Cormorants](https://www.audubon.org/bird-guide?family=6447)Brandt's Cormorant [Listen 1](https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/brandts-cormorant#info_sounds) # Brandt’s Cormorant ![]() Breeding adult. Photo: Steve Torna/Audubon Photography Awards ![](https://media.audubon.org/nas_birdapi/a1_4558_1_brandts_cormorant_joseph_galkowski_kk_breeding_adult.jpg?height=472&auto=webp&quality=10&fit=bounds&disable=upscale&blur=100) Breeding adult. Photo: Joseph Galkowski/Audubon Photography Awards ![](https://media.audubon.org/nas_birdapi/brandts_cormorant_002_flickr_fall_california_juvenile.jpg?height=472&auto=webp&quality=10&fit=bounds&disable=upscale&blur=100) Juvenile. Photo: budgora/Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) ![](https://media.audubon.org/nas_birdapi/a1_4826_5_brandts_cormorant_joanne_bartkus_kk_non-breeding_adult.jpg?height=472&auto=webp&quality=10&fit=bounds&disable=upscale&blur=100) Non-breeding adult. Photo: Joanne Bartkus/Audubon Photography Awards ![](https://media.audubon.org/nas_birdapi/a1_6061_4_brandts_cormorant_steve_torna_adult_and_nestling.jpg?height=472&auto=webp&quality=10&fit=bounds&disable=upscale&blur=100) Adult and nestling. Photo: Steve Torna/Audubon Photography Awards ![](https://media.audubon.org/nas_birdapi/a1_6134_2_brandts_cormorant_sandrine_biziaux-scherson_breeding_adult.jpg?height=472&auto=webp&quality=10&fit=bounds&disable=upscale&blur=100) Breeding adult Photo: Sandrine Biziaux-Scherson/Audubon Photography Awards ![](https://media.audubon.org/nas_birdapi/brandts_cormorant_001_flickr_winter_california_breeding_adults.jpg?height=472&auto=webp&quality=10&fit=bounds&disable=upscale&blur=100) Breeding adults. Photo: Jan Arendtsz/Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0) ![](https://media.audubon.org/nas_birdapi/gbbc_brandts_cormorants_and_pelagic_cormorants_jason_taylor_wa_2012_kk_adults.jpg?height=472&auto=webp&quality=10&fit=bounds&disable=upscale&blur=100) Brandt's Cormorants and Pelagic Cormorants adults. Photo: Jason Taylor/Great Backyard Bird Count ![](https://media.audubon.org/nas_birdapi_hero/h_a1_6062_1_brandts-cormorant_steve_torna_breeding-adult.jpg?width=142&height=142&auto=webp&quality=10&fit=crop&enable=upscale&blur=100) Brandt's Cormorant Urile penicillatus [At a Glance](https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/brandts-cormorant#at_a_glance "Move to At a Glance") [Range & Identification](https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/brandts-cormorant#range_and_identification "Move to Range & Identification") [Behavior](https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/brandts-cormorant#behavior "Move to Behavior") [Conservation](https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/brandts-cormorant#climate_vulnerability "Move to Conservation") [Explore More](https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/brandts-cormorant#explore_more "Move to Explore More") [Back to Top](https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/brandts-cormorant#main) ## At a Glance Along the Pacific Coast, the Brandt's Cormorant is a common resident of wave-washed rocks and offshore waters. Sociable at all seasons, it is often seen flying in long lines low over the water. Groups roost together on rocks near water, and feed in flocks offshore, often associating with other seabirds. All bird guide text and rangemaps adapted from [Lives of North American Birds](http://www.kaufmanfieldguides.com/) by Kenn Kaufman© 1996, used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Category Cormorants, Upright-perching Water Birds IUCN Status Least Concern Habitat Coasts and Shorelines, Open Ocean, Saltwater Wetlands Region Alaska and The North, California, Northwest, Western Canada Behavior Direct Flight, Swimming Population 150\.000 ## Range & Identification ### Migration & Range Maps Mostly permanent resident. Some local movements; birds nesting on Farallon Islands off California mostly absent in winter, perhaps going to adjacent mainland. In southeastern Alaska, apparently only a summer resident in very small numbers. Sometimes wanders along Mexican coast south of breeding range. Almost never found inland. ### Description Sexes similar; male slightly larger — Length: 2 ft 5 in-2 ft 10 in (76-86 cm); wingspan: 3 ft 11 in-4 ft 5 in (1.2-1.3 m); weight: 3 lb 8 oz-5 lb 8 oz (1.6-2.5 kg). The Brandt's Cormorant is bulky and dark, usually looking quite plain. Bare skin of throat pouch turns bright blue in breeding season, but this is hard to see; more noticeable is pale buff band across throat. Immatures are mostly plain dark brown, somewhat paler below. Size About the size of a Heron, About the size of a Mallard or Herring Gull Color Black, Blue, Brown, Yellow Wing Shape Broad, Rounded Tail Shape Long, Rounded, Wedge-shaped ### Songs and Calls Croaks and grunts. Call Pattern Flat, Simple Call Type Croak/Quack ### Habitat Ocean, coast. Almost always on salt water, entering brackish water at mouths of estuaries. May forage fairly close to shore or well out at sea. Nests on islands and locally on mainland, mostly on slopes rather than ledges of vertical cliffs. Sign up for Audubon's newsletter to learn more about birds like the Brandt's Cormorant ## Behavior ### Eggs A Brandt's Cormorant generally lays 4 eggs, sometimes 3-6. The eggs are whitish to pale blue, becoming nest-stained. Incubation is by both sexes, incubation period unknown. ### Young Both parents feed young, by regurgitation. Age at first flight unknown. ### Feeding Behavior Reportedly able to dive deep, perhaps more than 150 ft below surface. The Brandt's Cormorant forages singly or in groups, sometimes in association with sea lions. May forage at all levels from near surface to near bottom, perhaps mostly the latter. ### Diet The Brandt's Cormorant eats a wide variety of fish, including herring, rockfish; also some shrimp, crabs. ### Nesting Breeds in colonies. Male chooses nest site and displays there to ward off rivals and attract mate. Displays include drawing head back with blue throat pouch extended and bill pointed upward, spreading tail, and fluttering wings; also thrusting head forward and downward in rapid repeated strokes. Nest: Site is on ground, either level or steeply sloped. Nest is mound of seaweed, eelgrass, algae, cemented by droppings. Most nest material is obtained underwater; male does most of gathering, female does most of building. Pair may use same nest every year, adding to it annually. ## Conservation ### Conservation Status Local Brandt's Cormorant populations fluctuate, but overall numbers probably stable. Change in Abundance Over Time Drawing on more than a century of community science from the Christmas Bird Count (CBC), this chart shows how this species’ relative abundance has shifted in recent decades. [Explore more and get involved in the CBC](https://www.audubon.org/community-science/christmas-bird-count). ### Climate Map Audubon’s scientists have used 140 million bird observations and sophisticated climate models to project how climate change will affect the range of the Brandt's Cormorant. Learn even more in [Audubon’s Survival By Degrees project](https://www.audubon.org/climate/survivalbydegrees). ### Climate Threats Facing the Brandt's Cormorant Choose a temperature scenario below to see which threats will affect this species as warming increases. The same climate change-driven threats that put birds at risk will affect other wildlife and people, too. ## Explore More ### Murals, Art, and Culture Artists throughout history and across the U.S. have captured this bird in murals, books, and museum hangings. 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Readable Markdown

## At a Glance Along the Pacific Coast, the Brandt's Cormorant is a common resident of wave-washed rocks and offshore waters. Sociable at all seasons, it is often seen flying in long lines low over the water. Groups roost together on rocks near water, and feed in flocks offshore, often associating with other seabirds. All bird guide text and rangemaps adapted from [Lives of North American Birds](http://www.kaufmanfieldguides.com/) by Kenn Kaufman© 1996, used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Category Cormorants, Upright-perching Water Birds IUCN Status Least Concern Habitat Coasts and Shorelines, Open Ocean, Saltwater Wetlands Region Alaska and The North, California, Northwest, Western Canada Behavior Direct Flight, Swimming Population 150\.000 ## Range & Identification ### Migration & Range Maps Mostly permanent resident. Some local movements; birds nesting on Farallon Islands off California mostly absent in winter, perhaps going to adjacent mainland. In southeastern Alaska, apparently only a summer resident in very small numbers. Sometimes wanders along Mexican coast south of breeding range. Almost never found inland. ### Description Sexes similar; male slightly larger — Length: 2 ft 5 in-2 ft 10 in (76-86 cm); wingspan: 3 ft 11 in-4 ft 5 in (1.2-1.3 m); weight: 3 lb 8 oz-5 lb 8 oz (1.6-2.5 kg). The Brandt's Cormorant is bulky and dark, usually looking quite plain. Bare skin of throat pouch turns bright blue in breeding season, but this is hard to see; more noticeable is pale buff band across throat. Immatures are mostly plain dark brown, somewhat paler below. Size About the size of a Heron, About the size of a Mallard or Herring Gull Color Black, Blue, Brown, Yellow Wing Shape Broad, Rounded Tail Shape Long, Rounded, Wedge-shaped ### Songs and Calls Croaks and grunts. Call Pattern Flat, Simple Call Type Croak/Quack ### Habitat Ocean, coast. Almost always on salt water, entering brackish water at mouths of estuaries. May forage fairly close to shore or well out at sea. Nests on islands and locally on mainland, mostly on slopes rather than ledges of vertical cliffs. Sign up for Audubon's newsletter to learn more about birds like the Brandt's Cormorant ## Behavior ### Eggs A Brandt's Cormorant generally lays 4 eggs, sometimes 3-6. The eggs are whitish to pale blue, becoming nest-stained. Incubation is by both sexes, incubation period unknown. ### Young Both parents feed young, by regurgitation. Age at first flight unknown. ### Feeding Behavior Reportedly able to dive deep, perhaps more than 150 ft below surface. The Brandt's Cormorant forages singly or in groups, sometimes in association with sea lions. May forage at all levels from near surface to near bottom, perhaps mostly the latter. ### Diet The Brandt's Cormorant eats a wide variety of fish, including herring, rockfish; also some shrimp, crabs. ### Nesting Breeds in colonies. Male chooses nest site and displays there to ward off rivals and attract mate. Displays include drawing head back with blue throat pouch extended and bill pointed upward, spreading tail, and fluttering wings; also thrusting head forward and downward in rapid repeated strokes. Nest: Site is on ground, either level or steeply sloped. Nest is mound of seaweed, eelgrass, algae, cemented by droppings. Most nest material is obtained underwater; male does most of gathering, female does most of building. Pair may use same nest every year, adding to it annually. ## Conservation ### Conservation Status Local Brandt's Cormorant populations fluctuate, but overall numbers probably stable. Change in Abundance Over Time Drawing on more than a century of community science from the Christmas Bird Count (CBC), this chart shows how this species’ relative abundance has shifted in recent decades. [Explore more and get involved in the CBC](https://www.audubon.org/community-science/christmas-bird-count). ### Climate Threats Facing the Brandt's Cormorant Choose a temperature scenario below to see which threats will affect this species as warming increases. The same climate change-driven threats that put birds at risk will affect other wildlife and people, too.

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