Red-faced Cormorant
Urile urile
红脸鸬鹚
Introduction
A bird species of the family Phalacrocoracidae. Its range spans from the eastern tip of Hokkaidō in Japan, northern Korean peninsula, via the Kuril Islands, the southern tip of the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Aleutian Arc to the Alaska Peninsula and Gulf of Alaska. This species is closely related to the pelagic cormorant. It is currently listed as being of conservation concern, partly because relatively little is so far known about it.
Description
Adults have glossy plumage that is deep greenish blue, becoming purplish or bronze on the back and sides. In breeding condition, it has a double crest and white plumes on the flanks, neck and rump. The bare facial skin of the lores and around the eyes is a bright orange or red, giving the bird its name. Legs and feet are brownish black. Wing extent ranges from 25 to 29 cm, with females having on average about 5 cm shorter wings. Adults weigh between 1.5 and 2.3 kg, with females averaging 350 g less than males.
Identification
The red facial skin is the key field mark and distinguishes this species from the otherwise similar pelagic cormorant. The coloration is less vivid outside the breeding season, but the red facial skin remains diagnostic.
Distribution & Habitat
Range extends from the eastern tip of Hokkaidō in Japan, northern Korean peninsula, via the Kuril Islands, the southern tip of the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Aleutian Arc to the Alaska Peninsula and Gulf of Alaska.
Behavior & Ecology
Mainly a bottom feeder, taking cottids especially. Adults have few predators, though river otters, corvids, bald eagles and golden eagles may attempt to take them. Gulls and corvids are common predators on eggs and chicks. Where it nests alongside the pelagic cormorant, it generally breeds more successfully of the two species.
Conservation
Listed as being of conservation concern, partly because relatively little is so far known about the species. Population is currently increasing in the easterly parts of its range.
Culture
No cultural information provided.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Suliformes
- Family
- Phalacrocoracidae
- Genus
- Urile
- eBird Code
- refcor
Distribution
coastal North Pacific from Kamchatka (eastern Russia) southward to southern Kuril Islands and Hokkaido (northern Japan), and eastward through Aleutian and Pribilof islands (Bering Sea) and southern Alaskan islands
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.