ML21803101

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

2nd record for New Jersey (after a bird in Hunterdon County that was found in April 2014 and returned in 2015); 1st record for Cape May County; immature; photos by TBJ and MCR Oops. A slim, long-tailed cormorant flew north past the Higbee Dike all by itself. At the time, I noticed its unusual shape and took several photos before watching it continue off to the north along Delaware Bay. I pointed the bird out to several people including Glen Davis, but we couldn't see it well anymore and the issue soon faded as there was a good songbird flight going on. I didn't nail the identification at the time, but was definitely struck by the bird's appearance. Melissa Roach had noticed the same bird, also thought it unusual and took photos, which include good profiles of the face. Nearly two months later, in December, I was going back through my photos and was alarmed and frustrated to see that this really did look like an immature Neotropic Cormorant. The slim body, long tail projection beyond the feet, in combination with the dark brown coloration and lack of a contrasting pale chest, strongly support an ID of Neotropic Cormorant. The lores appear to be feathered but with some orange showing through. Photos.

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Lens

EF400mm f/5.6L USM

ISO

2000

Focal length

400 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/6.3

Shutter speed

1/2000 sec

Dimensions

1280 pixels x 852 pixels

Original file size

457.15 KB