Flightless Cormorant Photo by Ann Doty

Phalacrocorax harrisi

Adult

©Ann Doty

Location: Ecuador > Galápagos
Date: Jun 23, 2019
Caption: #photocontest2019

Isla Fernandina--Punta Espinoza; Galapagos Ecuador
with VENT tour guide Michael O'Brien

The Flightless Cormorant is the only cormorant that has lost the ability to fly. Restricted to Fernandina and Isabela islands in the Galapagos archipelago, this species has a small population averaging about 1000 individuals. It is a large, brown cormorant with a relatively large head and small wings with very reduced remiges. The wings are useful, however, for maneuvering during surface-dives in search of fish, octopus, and squid