Brandt's Cormorant Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesBrandt's Cormorant
Breeding adult
Large waterbird with an oval body and slender neck. Breeding birds are black overall with a purple sheen on the head and a blue skin patch on their chins called the gular pouch.
© Matt Davis / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, April 14, 2017Juvenile
Large waterbird with a long and slender neck that is held straight out in flight. Juveniles are brownish overall with a paler neck and breast that forms a V shape on the breast (often visible on resting birds).
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, November 02, 2015Breeding adult
© Matthew D. Medler / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 29, 2014Not all videos have sound
Breeding adult
Cocks tail up and bends neck back over its back during courtship displays. Note blue skin patch (gular pouch).
© Matt Davis / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 24, 2015Juvenile
Large, long-necked waterbird with a long bill with a hooked tip. Juveniles are brown overall with a pale chin patch.
© Steve Collins / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, July 23, 2009Nonbreeding adult
Nonbreeding birds are blackish overall with a paler brown chin patch. Note long bill and rounded head.
© Tim Lenz / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, August 06, 2010Breeding adult
Found in inshore coastal waters, especially areas with kelp beds; also large bays and coastal lagoons.
© marcel finlay / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, June 06, 2017Similar SpeciesPelagic Cormorant
Breeding adult
Pelagic Cormorants are smaller with a thinner bill than Brandt's Cormorants. Breeding birds have a red chin patch and a dark face whereas breeding Brandt's have a blue chin patch surrounded by pale feathers.
© Jesse Amesbury / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 16, 2016Similar SpeciesDouble-crested Cormorant
Breeding adult
Double-crested Cormorants have orange skin around the bill that Brandt's Cormorants do not have. They also have a paler bill than Brandt's.
© Mark Sawyer / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 10, 2017Similar SpeciesDouble-crested Cormorant
Juvenile
Juvenile Double-crested Cormorants have a yellowish bill whereas juvenile and adult Brandt's Cormorants have a dark bill. They also have a paler neck and belly that does not form a V shape as it does on Brandt's.
© Jane Mann / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, February 28, 2017Similar SpeciesRed-breasted Merganser
Breeding male
Red-breasted Mergansers are smaller than Brandt's Cormorants with a red bill.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, March 04, 2014Similar SpeciesRed-breasted Merganser
Female/nonbreeding male
Red-breasted Mergansers are smaller than Brandt's Cormorants with a red bill.
© Saurabh Sawant / Macaulay LibraryMaharashtra, December 23, 2016Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
Compare with Similar Species
Click on an image to compare
Species in This Family
Cormorants and Shags(Order: Suliformes, Family: Phalacrocoracidae)
Don't miss a thing! Join our email list
The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds,
birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.