Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur

Sitio realizado por aficionados a la observación de aves desde 10 de enero 2006

Neotropic Cormorant - Phalacrocorax brasilianus

Order: Suliformes (Before in Pelecaniformes) - Family: Phalacrocoracidae Status: Resident - Common. Habitat: Ponds and Río de la Plata

All records since January 2014
Biguá/Neotropic Cormorant © J. Simón Tagtachian
The Neotropic Cormorant belongs in the family Phalacrocoracidae. Up to 2010 this family together with the families Phaethontidae, Fregatidae, Pelecanidae, Anhingidae and Sulidae were included within the Order Pelecaniformes. One morphological characteristic bonded them all. All of them and only they have the four toes palmated. There are other families with palmated toes such as ducks, but they have only three out of the four toes palmated, remaining one of them free.
However, genetic studies have shown that they are not so close as they were believed to be and these families have been rearranged as follows. The Phaetontidae (tropical brids not found in Argentina) were isolated in the Order Phaethontiformes. The Pelecanidae (pelicans, neither in Argentina) remained in the Pelecaniformes and the four remaining ones Fregatidae (fregatebird), Sulidae (boobies), Anhingidae (anhinga) and Phalacrocoracidae (cormorant), have been placed into a new order named Suliformes. These four families are represented in Argentina and but for boobies we have records of the other three in Costanera. CR
Adult
Biguá/Neotropic Cormorant© J. Simón Tagtachian
Blackish.
Biguá/Neotropic Cormorant© J. Simón Tagtachian
Turquoise iris
Biguá/Neotropic Cormorant© Dolores Fernández
In alternate plumage: white line bordering bill base. White ear tuft
Biguá/Neotropic Cormorant© J. Simón Tagtachian
Biguá/Neotropic Cormorant© J. Simón Tagtachian
It swims with body partially submerged and head and neck above water.
Biguá/Neotropic Cormorant © Hugo Aguilar
biguá SAC 9 14
© Sergio Cusano
This typical posture - wings outstretched - has been attributed different functions. They do so for thermoregulation, for balancing the body, to digest or to indicate there is fish. Today it is common knowledge they dry their feathers not only by the sun's effects but also by the wind's.
Biguá/Neotropic Cormorant
Right an individual in breeding plumage. white line bordering bill base. Turquoise iris. White ear tuft is not visible.
Left (non-breeding plumage): lacks white line. Duller green colour of iris. Brownish bill.
5-2013 © J. Simón Tagtachian


Totipalmate foot
More photographic records since January 2013