BRANDT'S CORMORANT

BRANDT'S CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax penicillatus)
Male Brandt's Cormorant displaying, Southeast Farallon

BRANDT'S CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax penicillatus)

“Brandt's Cormorants (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) were remarked by most early investigators at San Miguel Island, primarily on Prince Island, but few attempted to make any estimates of numbers. Streator (1888) commented on the “mass of living gulls and cormorants” on Gull [=Prince] Island. Appleton's notes state that about 100 pairs were nesting there on 5 and 6 June 1906, and he took 20 to 25 sets of eggs. Willett (1910) states that Brandt's were the most abundant of the cormorants on Prince Island on 15 June 1910. He also found several large colonies on San Miguel Island proper. Snyder (unpubl. field notes in WFVZ) found 500 nests on Prince Island on 12 July 1912 and collected one set of eggs. Evermann collected three sets there on 19 May 1919 (CAS 1327-1329); Peyton collected another set on 2 June 1928 (MVZ 4569), and Stevens (unpubl. notes in WFVZ) estimated several thousand pairs on Prince Island from which he collected one egg set on 25 May 1929 (SBM). In 1933, Sheffler collected two egg sets on 11 June (WFVZ 65937 and 65938). Sumner (1939) estimated at least 1,000 birds building nests and incubating eggs on 18 April 1939. Craig and Sheppard (unpubl. notes) estimated 1,500 pairs on Prince Island on 3-5 July 1965. In May and June 1968, the Smithsonian Institution's Pacific Ocean Biological Survey Program (P.O.B.S.P.) personnel (Huber 1968) estimated 1,500 pairs on Castle Rock and another 2500 pairs on Prince Island.” [Marine Mammal and Seabird Survey of the Southern California Bight, Volume 3, Issue 3. University of California Santa Cruz et al., July 1978]


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FARALLON ISLANDS
ISLAND COLLECTOR INSTITUTION DATE NUMBER SPECIMEN  
Farallon Islands J. A. Smith UMZC June 15, 1854 UMZC-10/Phal/3/s/4 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Birds
Farallon Islands John S. Newberry NMNH June 1855 USNM-A4501 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Birds
Farallon Islands Ferdinand Gruber MVZ June 1, 1862 MVZ-4415 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Birds
Farallon Islands Chester Barlow CM June 14, 1895 CM-E220 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Birds
Farallon Islands Chester Barlow NMNH June 14, 1895 USNM-B26437 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Birds
Farallon Islands Chester Barlow NMNH June 14, 1895 USNM-B26438 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Birds
Farallon Islands Chester Barlow WFVZ June 14, 1895 WFVZ-9822 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Birds
Farallon Islands Frank Craig WFVZ July 6, 1887 WFVZ-47048 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
Farallon Islands Frank Craig WFVZ June 24, 1892 WFVZ-168720 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
Farallon Islands Frank Craig WFVZ July 4, 1892 WFVZ-203151 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
Farallon Islands Fletcher G. Palmer MVZ July 13, 1945 MVZ-93677 Phalacrocorax penicillatus birds


ANACAPA ISLAND
ISLAND COLLECTOR INSTITUTION DATE NUMBER SPECIMEN  
Anacapa Island S. B. Peyton ROM June 11, 1915 ROM-500406 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
Anacapa Island S. B. Peyton UWBM May 26, 1917 UWBM-27001 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Birds
Anacapa Island M. C. Badger WFVZ May 27, 1917 WFVZ-96635 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
Anacapa Island Charles Ashworth WFVZ May 13, 1927 WFVZ-203108 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
Anacapa Island Elmer Paquette WFVZ May 14, 1927 WFVZ-203162 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
Anacapa Island Charles Ashworth & R. E. Thompson WFVZ May 15, 1928 WFVZ-73972 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
Anacapa Island Charles Ashworth & R. E. Thompson WFVZ April 19, 1931 WFVZ-148934 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
Anacapa Island Charles Ashworth & R. E. Thompson WFVZ April 19, 1931 WFVZ-27699 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
Anacapa Island Charles Ashworth & R. E. Thompson WFVZ April 19, 1931 WFVZ-83200 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
Anacapa Island M. C. Badger WFVZ May 17, 1936 WFVZ-95477 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs


SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND

1907 San Clemente Island: “Phalacrocorax penicillatus. Brandt Cormorant. During January and February, immense flocks were seen daily, flying from their roosting places on the rocks of the northwest coast to their feeding “grounds” along the northeast shore. Both brownish young and adults were numerous. Specimens in full breeding plumage, i. e. with white filaments along the sides of head, neck and back, were secured in February and March. Breeds in small numbers on the northwest coast.” [“Visits were made to Clemente in January, February, March, April and October, 1907.”]
Linton, C. B. Notes from San Clemente Island The Condor 10:82-86, March 1908


1984 San Clemente Island: “BRANDT'S CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax penicillatus). Abundant year-round, breeds in small numbers. Most numerous Jan to Apr when large feeding flocks of up to 4550 have been recorded. Nesting records: NW coast, small numbers, 1907 (Linton 1908); Seal Cove, nest with young, 9 Apr 1972 (Leatherwood and Coulombe 1972); Bird Rock, 15 nests; Castle Rock, 1 nest; Seal Cove 6 nests, all 10 Jul 1974 (Lee Jones); Castle Rock, I nest 8 May 1975 (Lee Jones); Seal Cove, 2 nests; south of Mail Pt., 4 nests; east end of the active airfield, 3 nests, all 15 May 1976 (Robert Cohen); and Seal Cove, 12 nests 18 Jul 1975 (Lee Jones). ”
The Birds of San Clemente Island, 1984


ISLAND COLLECTOR INSTITUTION DATE NUMBER SPECIMEN  
San Clemente Island Edgar A. Mearns NMNH [1894] USNM-19631 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Birds
San Clemente Island C. B. Linton DMNH February 15, 1907 DMNH-5517 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Birds
San Clemente Island C. B. Linton MCZ October 9, 1907 MCZ-316507 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Birds
San Clemente Island Irwin D. Nokes WFVZ February 6, 1915 WFVZ-2912 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Birds
San Clemente Island Irwin D. Nokes WFVZ February 6, 1915 WFVZ-2915 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Birds
San Clemente Island Irwin D. Nokes WFVZ February 6, 1915 WFVZ-2916 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Birds
San Clemente Island J. T. Brollini LACM August 7, 2001 LACM-111620 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Bird


SAN MIGUEL ISLAND
ISLAND COLLECTOR INSTITUTION DATE NUMBER SPECIMEN  
San Miguel Island (Prince Island) J. S. Appleton WFVZ June 6, 1906 WFVZ-21670 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
San Miguel Island (Prince Island) J. S. Appleton WFVZ June 6, 1906 WFVZ-21671 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
San Miguel Island (Prince Island) J. S. Appleton WFVZ June 6, 1906 WFVZ-21727 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
San Miguel Island O. W. Howard LACM June 14, 1910 LACM-95570 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
San Miguel Island O. W. Howard WFVZ June 14, 1910 WFVZ-95584 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
San Miguel Island George Willett WFVZ June 15, 1910 WFVZ-6363 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
San Miguel Island (Prince Island) G. K. Snyder WFVZ July 12, 1912 WFVZ-95592 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
San Miguel Island L. G. Peyton MVZ June 2, 1928 MVZ-4569 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
San Miguel Island L. G. Peyton ROM June 2, 1928 ROM-500405 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
San Miguel Island W. J. Sheffler WFVZ June 11, 1933 MVZ-184876 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
San Miguel Island W. J. Sheffler WFVZ June 11, 1933 MVZ-65937 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
San Miguel Island W. J. Sheffler WFVZ June 11, 1933 MVZ-65938 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs


SAN NICOLAS ISLAND

1897 San Nicolas Island: “Phalacrocorax penicillatus—Brandt's Cormorant. Seen commonly everywhere we went. Mr. Gaylord found a small colony nesting on the north side of San Nicolas Island...Entire List of Water-Birds Observed. [March 26-April 4; May 11-June 9]. The party [of the second trip] consisted of Joseph Grinnell, who had immediate charge of the expedition, and gave special attention to the ornithology and entomology of the islands; Horace Gaylord, who collected mammals; and Harry Gaylord and James Brittan [Britton] who devoted their time to archaeology. The party left San Pedro harbor May 11 in a large fishing schooner... [returning June 9, 1897]”
Grinnell, Joseph The Islands of Santa Barbara, San Nicolas and San Clemente, in the Spring of 1897 Pasadena Academy of Sciences Publication No. 1, August, 1897 (26 pages).


ISLAND COLLECTOR INSTITUTION DATE NUMBER SPECIMEN  
San Nicolas Island L. R. Howsley WFVZ May 30, 1951 WFVZ-103270 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
San Nicolas Island L. R. Howsley WFVZ May 30, 1951 WFVZ-103271 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
San Nicolas Island L. R. Howsley WFVZ May 30, 1951 WFVZ-103272 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
San Nicolas Island L. R. Howsley WFVZ May 30, 1951 WFVZ-103273 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
San Nicolas Island L. R. Howsley WFVZ May 30, 1951 WFVZ-103274 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
San Nicolas Island L. R. Howsley WFVZ May 30, 1951 WFVZ-103275 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs


SANTA BARBARA ISLAND

1897 Santa Barbara Island: “Phalacrocorax penicillatus—Brandt's Cormorant. On Santa Barbara Island this bird was nesting in large rookeries. These rookeries were generally situated nearly to the base of the precipitous sides of the island, often but a few feet above the water line. A sloping shelf of rock or heap of fallen boulders was usually preferred. The nests were built as close as they could rest. They were made of turf and seaweed, and were filthy with excrement, so different from the neat-looking nests of the Farallone Cormorant. On May 15, we took about 30 sets of three and four eggs each. They were in all stages of incubation, and several nests contained young just hatched. One specimen of this Cormorant was taken... Entire List of Water-Birds Observed. [March 26-April 4; May 11-June 9]. The party [of the second trip] consisted of Joseph Grinnell, who had immediate charge of the expedition, and gave special attention to the ornithology and entomology of the islands; Horace Gaylord, who collected mammals; and Harry Gaylord and James Brittan [Britton] who devoted their time to archaeology. The party left San Pedro harbor May 11 in a large fishing schooner... [returning June 9, 1897]”
Grinnell, Joseph The Islands of Santa Barbara, San Nicolas and San Clemente, in the Spring of 1897 Pasadena Academy of Sciences Publication No. 1, August, 1897 (26 pages).


ISLAND COLLECTOR INSTITUTION DATE NUMBER SPECIMEN  
Santa Barbara Island Joseph Grinnell MVZ May 15, 1897 MVZ-573 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
Santa Barbara Island G. K. Snyder PSM July 3, 1912 PSM-11722 Phalacrocorax penilillatus Birds
Santa Barbara Island G. K. Snyder WFVZ July 3, 1912 WFVZ-95593 Phalacrocorax penilillatus Eggs
Santa Barbara Island G. K. Snyder WFVZ July 3, 1912 WFVZ-95594 Phalacrocorax penilillatus Eggs
Santa Barbara Island G. K. Snyder WFVZ July 3, 1912 WFVZ-95595 Phalacrocorax penilillatus Eggs
Santa Barbara Island G. K. Snyder WFVZ July 3, 1912 WFVZ-95596 Phalacrocorax penilillatus Eggs
Santa Barbara Island L. Nyman WFVZ May 30, 1920 WFVZ-114682 Phalacrocorax penilillatus Eggs
Santa Barbara Island H. W. Carriger WFVZ March 27, 1927 WFVZ-34459 Phalacrocorax penilillatus Eggs
Santa Barbara Island H. W. Carriger WFVZ March 27, 1927 WFVZ-34460 Phalacrocorax penilillatus Eggs
Santa Barbara Island J. R. Pemberton WFVZ March 27, 1927 WFVZ-2916 Phalacrocorax penilillatus Eggs
Santa Barbara Island J. R. Pemberton WFVZ March 27, 1927 WFVZ-2917 Phalacrocorax penilillatus Eggs


SANTA CATALINA ISLAND
ISLAND COLLECTOR INSTITUTION DATE NUMBER SPECIMEN  
Santa Catalina Island F. Stephens SDMNH March 21, 1893 SDNHM-9 Phalacrocorax peniicillatus Birds
Santa Catalina Island Frank Stephens SDNHM March 23, 1893 SDNHM-10 Phalacrocorax penilillatus Birds
Santa Catalina Island G. Willett WFVZ April 11, 1904 WFVZ-95586 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
Santa Catalina Island G. Willett WFVZ April 11, 1904 WFVZ-81597 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
Santa Catalina Island W. Berry Collection CAS 1950 CAS-87594 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Birds


SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

1886 Santa Cruz Island: Eli Whitney Blake, Jr. visited Santa Cruz Island twice in 1886: from July 4- July 24, and again August 6-September 3. During his visits, Blake camped in a canyon near Platt's Harbor. He noted:

“Phalacrocorax penicillatus. BRANDT'S CORMORANT. — Abundant along shore; nests on isolated rocks.”


1907 Santa Cruz Island: “Phalacrocorax penicillatus. Brandt Cormorant. Abundant.” [“At 11:30 p. m., November 19, 1907, my father (H. Linton), Mr. George Willett, and myself left San Pedro harbor in a dilapidated fishing smack and in company with a crawfisherman, one “Cold-foot” Jorgensen. We arrived off the south end of Santa Cruz Island at 10:30 the following day during a stiff norwester. For various reasons we were unable to make camp until the 22nd. It may not be amiss to state here that twice during the blow we were nearly wrecked: once while at anchor in Potatoe Harbor, a broken anchor allowing the boat to drift within the breaker line and nearly onto the rocks. In this instance the timely arrival of Willett and H. Linton in a small boat, saved the day, and incidentally the fishing smack. At another time (the engine having broken down) we were blown nearly onto the rocks of Anacapa Island; but with father at the wheel and Willett and I on the “sheet” we managed to hold her off. I mention the foregoing, and the many sleepless nights spent on the rocky shores, “running” the surf several times each day (with attendant duckings), etc., merely as a warning to those who seem inclined to believe a field naturalists ’ life “strewn with roses”. (Its ’ generally strewn with cacti!)”]
Linton, C. B. Notes from Santa Cruz Island] The Condor 10(3):124-129, May 1908


ISLAND COLLECTOR INSTITUTION DATE NUMBER SPECIMEN  
Santa Cruz Island C. B. Linton MCZ November 29, 1907 MCZ-180271 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Birds


SANTA ROSA ISLAND

1927 Santa Rosa Island: “Phalacrocorax penicillatus. Brandt Cormorant.” [“Through the generosity of Mr. Silsby M. Spalding who placed at our disposal his splendid cruiser Padariva I the writer accompanied by H. W. Carriger, Dudley DeGroot and 0. W. Howard was enabled to spend the period from March 25 to April 5, 1927, inclusive, among the Channel Islands off the coast of southern California.”]
Pemberton, J. R. Additions to the known avifauna of the Santa Barbara Islands The Condor 30(2):144-148, March-April 1928


NOTE: All Santa Rosa Island collections are post 1950.


ISLAS CORONADOS
ISLAND COLLECTOR INSTITUTION DATE NUMBER SPECIMEN  
Islas Coronados C. S. Thompson WFVZ April 3, 1912 WFVZ-203109 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
Islas Coronados C. S. Thompson WFVZ April 3, 1912 WFVZ-203115 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
Islas Coronados C. O. Reis LACM June 5, 1915 LACM-3643 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Birds
Islas Coronados Irwin D. Nokes WFVZ June 5, 1915 WFVZ-95587 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
Islas Coronados Irwin D. Nokes WFVZ June 5, 1915 WFVZ-95588 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
Islas Coronados Irwin D. Nokes WFVZ June 5, 1915 WFVZ-228255 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Eggs
Islas Coronados K. W. Kenyon USNM 1935 USNM-B41951 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Birds
Islas Coronados K. W. Kenyon USNM 1956 USNM-B41956 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Birds


ISLA SAN MARTIN

1913 Isla San Martin: “Phalacrocorax penicillatns. Brandt Cormorant. Present in large numbers, though not so numerous as the last. On the north side the young gathered in big droves and resembled Penguins as they tried to waddle out of our way. ” Wright, H. W.The Birds of San Martin Island, Lower California The Condor 15(6):207-210, November-December, 1913


ISLAND COLLECTOR INSTITUTION DATE NUMBER SPECIMEN  
Isla San Martin W. V. Mayer LACM April 13, 1951 LACM-51882 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Birds
Isla San Martin W. V. Mayer LACM April 13, 1951 LACM-51883 Phalacrocorax penicillatus Birds
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