Found only on two islands in the Galápagos — Fernandina and the western coast of Isabela — this bird is the only species of cormorant that cannot fly. With its small, stumpy wings and strong, muscular body, the flightless cormorant has completely adapted to a life of swimming and diving instead of soaring through the air. It’s a powerful example of how animals can evolve in isolation, perfectly shaped by their environment.

Though it can’t fly, the flightless cormorant is a superb swimmer. Its strong legs and large webbed feet allow it to dive deep and chase fish, eels, and octopuses underwater with great agility. It uses its long, hooked bill to snatch slippery prey, often hunting close to shore in the cool, nutrient-rich waters brought in by ocean currents. After diving, it climbs onto rocks to spread its small wings to dry — a behavior it shares with other cormorants, even though its wings are too small for flight. Its feathers aren’t fully waterproof, which helps reduce buoyancy and makes diving easier, but it also means the bird needs time to dry out after swimming.

The flightless cormorant is largely dark brown or black, with turquoise-blue eyes and a long, curved neck. During the breeding season, males and females perform a gentle courtship dance, twirling around each other in the water and presenting seaweed for nest-building. They usually nest close to the shore, building their nests out of seaweed and other marine debris. The species often mates for life, and both parents help raise their chicks. Because they stay close to home and rarely move far, their entire population is limited to just a small part of the Galápagos — making them especially vulnerable to environmental changes.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Ecuador

2,100

Official estimate

VU

2018

Breeding: Galápagos