Brandt’s Cormorants (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) Courtship and Nesting on Seacliffs in La Jolla, California

By February 6, 2024Seabird

Late January and early February is an ideal time to see Brandt’s Cormorants (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) practicing their courtship behaviors and building nests in preparation for egg laying in a few weeks.  We had some storm activity in January which washed away most nests, but the cormorants have been rebuilding nests and establishing mated pairs since.  We now have a week or on-and-off rain so I took a look back through some of the images I’ve made and here are some favorites. Hard to capture is the landing sequence of an incoming cormorant as it approaches its nest, and particularly so to include nesting material in the bird’s beak.  I still have some work to do but have a few of those I like.  Soon the eggs will appear and then the ugly chicks.  Cheers, and thanks for looking!

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, Phalacrocorax penicillatus

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.
Image ID: 36801
Species: Brandt's cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus

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 faint blue-green iridescence in their plumage, Phalacrocorax penicillatus, La Jolla, California

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 faint blue-green iridescence in their plumage.
Image ID: 40130
Species: Brandt's cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California

Brandt's Cormorant flying with wings spread wide as it slows to land at its nest on ocean cliffs, Phalacrocorax penicillatus, La Jolla, California

Brandt's Cormorant flying with wings spread wide as it slows to land at its nest on ocean cliffs.
Image ID: 40131
Species: Brandt's Cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California

Brandt's Cormorant Spreading Wings to Land on sea cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, La Jolla, California

Brandt's Cormorant Spreading Wings to Land on sea cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Image ID: 40084
Location: La Jolla, California

Brandt's Cormorant In Flight Carrying Nesting Material in its Beak, Phalacrocorax penicillatus, La Jolla, California

Brandt's Cormorant In Flight Carrying Nesting Material in its Beak.
Image ID: 40132
Species: Brandt's Cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California

Male Brandt's Cormorant Skypointing, Courtship Display, Breeding Plumage with blue throat and a few 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, Phalacrocorax penicillatus

Male Brandt's Cormorant Skypointing, Courtship Display, Breeding Plumage with blue throat and a few 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.
Image ID: 40133
Species: Brandt's cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California

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 faint blue-green iridescence in their plumage, Phalacrocorax penicillatus, La Jolla, California

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 faint blue-green iridescence in their plumage.
Image ID: 40135
Species: Brandt's cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California

Brandt's Cormorant Spreading Wings to Land on sea cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, La Jolla, California

Brandt's Cormorant Spreading Wings to Land on sea cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Image ID: 40085
Location: La Jolla, California

Brandt's Cormorant portrait in shade with ocean in the background. Its striking blue eyes and gular pouch (throat) can be seen, along with thin white feathers on its checks and shoulders. A bit of fluff is on its beak after it has been preening its feathers, Phalacrocorax penicillatus, La Jolla, California

Brandt's Cormorant portrait in shade with ocean in the background. Its striking blue eyes and gular pouch (throat) can be seen, along with thin white feathers on its checks and shoulders. A bit of fluff is on its beak after it has been preening its feathers.
Image ID: 40137
Species: Brandt's cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California

Brandt's Cormorant carrying nesting material to its nest, Phalacrocorax penicillatus, La Jolla, California

Brandt's Cormorant carrying nesting material to its nest.
Image ID: 40139
Species: Brandt's Cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California

A Brandt's Cormorant tends to its built on sea cliffs. Note the colors it assumes during mating season: striking blue gular pouch (throat) along with faint blue-green iridescence in its plumage, Phalacrocorax penicillatus, La Jolla, California

A Brandt's Cormorant tends to its built on sea cliffs. Note the colors it assumes during mating season: striking blue gular pouch (throat) along with faint blue-green iridescence in its plumage.
Image ID: 40140
Species: Brandt's cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California

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, where the fading light of late afternoon just illuminates his head and wings, Phalacrocorax penicillatus

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, where the fading light of late afternoon just illuminates his head and wings.
Image ID: 40142
Species: Brandt's cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California

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, Phalacrocorax penicillatus, La Jolla, California

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.
Image ID: 40144
Species: Brandt's cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California

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, Phalacrocorax penicillatus

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.
Image ID: 40145
Species: Brandt's cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California

Brandt's Cormorant carrying nesting material to its nest, Phalacrocorax penicillatus, La Jolla, California

Brandt's Cormorant carrying nesting material to its nest.
Image ID: 40146
Species: Brandt's Cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California

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, Phalacrocorax penicillatus

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.
Image ID: 40150
Species: Brandt's cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California

Brandt's Cormorant portrait in shade with ocean in the background. Its striking blue eyes and throat can be seen, along with thin white feathers on its checks and shoulders. A bit of fluff is on its beak after it has been preening its feathers, Phalacrocorax penicillatus, La Jolla, California

Brandt's Cormorant portrait in shade with ocean in the background. Its striking blue eyes and throat can be seen, along with thin white feathers on its checks and shoulders. A bit of fluff is on its beak after it has been preening its feathers.
Image ID: 40151
Species: Brandt's cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California

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About Phil Colla

I am a natural history photographer. I enjoy making compelling images in the ocean, on land, and in the air. I have maintained the Natural History Photography blog since 2005 and my searchable Natural History Photography Library since 1997. Here are some tear sheets and behind the scenes views. Thanks for looking!

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