Mated pair of Brandt's Cormorants tend to the nest they have built on sea cliffs. Note the colors they assume during mating season: striking blue gular pouch (throat) along with some blue-green iridescence in their plumage.
Species: Brandt's cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 40144
Male Brandt's Cormorant Skypointing, Courtship Display, Breeding Plumage with blue throat and white pin-feathers, La Jolla. Skypointing is an interesting courtship behavior that many birds practice. Among Brandt's Cormorants the male performs this, likely as a way of attracting a mate to the nest he has built by showing off his striking blue throat. He tips his head backward showing off his striking blue throat, and partially raises his wings. Seen here on seacliffs above the ocean.
Species: Brandt's cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 40145
Brandt's Cormorant Flying Carrying Nesting Material, a clump of seaweed (marine algae) and surf grass, La Jolla.
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 40790
Brandt's Cormorant Portrait with Breeding Plumage, with blue throat and white feathers on each side of the head.
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 40800
Brandt's Cormorant Drying Wings on Seacliffs over the Pacific Ocean.
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 40815