FreeLists / birdky / [birdky] RPT: Neotropic Cormorant particulars

["Palmer-Ball, Brainard \(EPPC OOS KNPC\)" <Brainard.Palmer-Ball@xxxxxx>]

Thanks to Mark M. and the Bells for posting info on the Neotropic
Cormorant yesterday. I have NO idea why the heck a tropical species like
that is already on the move, but it did appear to depart to the north
with 3 Double-cresteds about 5:00 p.m. CST last evening as David Roemer
and I were standing there watching the birds on the lake. As it turned
out, the departure DID allow David to snap off a few good comparision
flight shots, one of which Gary Ritchison has posted on the KOS web site
at:  http://www.biology.eku.edu/kos/Neotropic_Cormorant.htm
<http://www.biology.eku.edu/kos/Neotropic_Cormorant.htm> 
 
Along with that shot, there are two others of the bird perched with a
Double-crested nearby for comparison and a few poorer quality ones of
mine. The bird may not be a full adult as evidenced by the brownish
suffusion of color on the underparts and lack of distinct white around
the base of the bill. However, the size difference is readily apparent
in all shots, as is the longer tail (proportionately) in the flight
shot. The bill and face structure are quite different, with gular skin
patch border extending forward from the base of the lower mandible vs.
straight down in the D-c and darker loral area in front of the eye. The
bill is also proportionately shorter (although it doesn't show
particularly well in the best profile photo; perhaps better in one of
mine below David's). The head shape was also more rounded on the crown
with steeper forehead. David may want to add a few more notes on the ID.
I would also call attention to a useful regional ID summary placed on
the internet by Tennessee's Jeff Wilson at:
http://www.pbase.com/ol_coot/cormorants
 
I want to thank David for running up to get such nice shots of the bird.
Comparing his to mine, everyone can appreciate how much better the bird
has been documented due to his abilities. We are very fortunate to have
someone who has such an uncanny ability to get nice shots of rare birds
in our state!
 
If anyone wishes to bird the lake, there were a nice variety of
waterbirds there yesterday including several dozen Lesser Scaup,
Redheads, Canvasbacks, and Ring-necked Ducks, a female Bufflehead, and
pair of Hooded Mergs, along with a male Surf Scoter in the same plumage
David described from Meldahl Dam a week or so ago (lots of red on the
bill, but mostly black otherwise ... only a hint of white in feathering
of the base of the bill and on nape). There was also an Eared Grebe in
basic plumage with the many Pied-billeds. Several of us have looked for
the Eared Grebe that was on this lake back in December, but have not
seen it despite close scrutiny. Who knows if this is the same one or
another. NOTE: Roseanna Denton just called to say she saw the Surf
Scoter but neither the cormorant nor the Eared Grebe this morning.
 
One clarification of Mark M.'s directions to the site; I don't think
there is a conveyor belt over the road any longer but maybe I'm so used
to it that I forget about it!; and the turn in front of the power plant
can be tricky on week days, with coal trains and coal trucks around and
a bypass sometimes required. Approach from the south via Riverside Road
is more straightforward, but most approach from the north and the
Western Ky Parkway at Central City via US 431 and KY 176.
 
bpb, Frankfort