Paintbrush
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Paintbrush pod ( Phalacrocorax penicillatus ) |
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| Phalacrocorax penicillatus | ||||||||||||
| ( Brandt , 1837) |
The paintbrush ( Phalacrocorax penicillatus ) is a species of bird in the Phalacrocorax family within the cormorant family. The black colored species inhabits the west coast of North America from Canada to Mexico . It breeds in loose colonies and feeds primarily on fish and crabs . The IUCN lists the species as " not endangered ".
Appearance
Brush shards reach a head-body length of 84 to 89 centimeters and a wingspan of 124 centimeters. The highest weight recorded so far was 2450 grams. There is a sexual dimorphism , the females are on average slightly smaller than the males. Adult birds are black feathered all over their bodies, the plumage has a slightly bluish sheen, especially on the back. The legs, like the beak, are dark gray in color. The throat skin takes on a bright cobalt blue color , especially during the breeding season , outside of the breeding season it is a little paler. Breeding birds also have some white feathers behind the eye on the sides of the head, neck and back. The white head feathers are fan-shaped from the head. At the base of the beak, the feathers are a dirty white color. The iris is bright blue. Fledglings are dark brown on the back and neck and light brown to white feathered on the belly, chest and throat.
distribution and habitat
Brush shots are common on the west coast of North America from Canada to Baja California in Mexico . The species lives exclusively marine, especially on coastal sections and on islands in the area of influence of the nutrient-rich California Current . It prefers rocky coasts because of the higher food supply. In winter, the species reaches estuaries, but is never found in inland waters.
food
The main part of the diet consists of small fish , especially perch and schooling fish such as anchovies , but also invertebrates such as lobster and squid . Like all cormorants, the species prefers to catch its prey by diving by following and catching it while swimming underwater. Most of the time the foraging takes place on stony ground, but less often in open water. The species often hunts in larger groups to make it easier to catch schools of fish. Since the plumage of the species absorbs water, it must be dried after a dive. Like most cormorants, brush sharks spread their wings and let the sun or wind dry the plumage.
Breeding behavior
The beginning of the breeding season varies depending on the food supply, mostly in spring between March and May, but broods also occur until July. The population in the southern distribution area usually begins breeding earlier than the northern population because of the more favorable climatic conditions. The species breeds in loose colonies , often together with other sea birds . The nest is built on slopes and ledges, but can also be on level ground over a cliff. It consists mainly of algae , grass and small sticks and is solidified with feces. It is often used for several years in a row and is constantly being expanded. Usually 3 to 4 eggs are laid. The bare chicks hatch after a breeding period of around 30 days and first develop a plumage made of gray down before their juvenile plumage grows. Usually only 1 to 2 young birds in a clutch fledge.
Migratory behavior
The species is a resident bird and only moves short distances in winter to areas with better food supply. After the breeding season, the juveniles tend to dismigrate , but usually do not fly long distances. Individual animals repeatedly appear further south off the Mexican coast, but these are considered exceptional phenomena.
Systematics
As with all cormorants, the exact systematic position of the species is disputed. Some scientists place the species in the genus Compsohalieus , but this view is not generally accepted.
Hazard and protection
The IUCN lists the species as " not endangered ". The population is stable and only declines for years with El Niño , but it recovers quickly. Since the species has a large distribution area and breeds in numerous colonies, no threat to the population is expected in the near future.
literature
- Josep del Hoyo , Andrew Elliot, Jordi Sargatal: Handbook of the birds of the world. Volume 1: Ostrich to Ducks. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona 1992, ISBN 84-87334-10-5 .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Urile penicillatus in the Red List of Endangered Species of the IUCN 2011.2. Listed by: BirdLife International, 2009. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
Web links
- Videos, photos and sound recordings of Brandt's Cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) in the Internet Bird Collection