Red-legged Cormorant (Phalacrocorax gaimardi)

Identification & Behavior: ~73.5 cm (29 in). The Red-legged Cormorant is gray with “silver scales” on the wings. It has bright coral red legs and feet, and base of the bill. It also has broad white patches on the sides of the neck. At close range, it shows blue eyes with speckled eyering. Juveniles are a dull version of the adults with gray legs. Also, see Guanay Cormorant and Neotropic Cormorant.

Status: The Red-legged Cormorant is fairly common on cliffs and rocky shores. Forages near rocky areas and generally does not venture out to open sea. It also occurs in Ch.

Name in Spanish: Cormorán de Pata Roja o Chuita.

Sub-species: Red-legged Cormorant (Phalacrocorax gaimardi) (Lesson & Garnot, 1828).

Meaning of Name:  Phalacrocorax: Gr. Phalakrokorax=  loon, cormorant. gaimardii: After Joseph Paul Gaimard; a French surgeon, naturalist, and explorer. A cormorant named after Paul Gaimard.

Go to the Family Phalacrocoracidae