Adult on a nest in San Luis Obispo, California, United States

Description Phalacrocorax pelagicus
English: A Pelagic Cormorant on a nest in San Luis Obispo, California, USA. The small dark patch of seaweed at the front of the nest is a fresh delivery of nesting material made by this birds mate.
Date 1 May 2010, 15:43
Source Pelagic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pelagicus) on nest
Author Alan Vernon http://www.flickr.com/people/32541690@N02
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Phalacrocorax_pelagicus_-San_Luis_Obispo,_California,_USA_-nest-8_(2).jpg

The pelagic cormorant (Phalacrocorax pelagicus), also known as Baird's cormorant, is a small member of the cormorant family Phalacrocoracidae. Analogous to other smallish cormorants, it is also called the pelagic shag occasionally. This seabird lives along the coasts of the northern Pacific; during winter it can also be found in the open ocean. Pelagic cormorants have relatively short wings due to their need for economical movement underwater, and consequently have the highest flight costs of any bird. Order: Suliformes, Family: Phalacrocoracidae.