Birds Active during the day

Magellanic Cormorant

Leucocarbo magellanicus

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

A master of the southern kelp forests, the Magellanic Cormorant is a striking seabird defined by its vibrant red facial skin and incredible diving prowess. Thriving where the Andes meet the ocean, this resilient species is a true icon of the Patagonian coast.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 66–71 cm (26–28 in); Wingspan: approx 100 cm (39 in); Weight: 1.4–1.6 kg (3.1–3.5 lbs)

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Colors

Glossy black upperparts and neck with a stark white belly; breeding adults feature bright red facial skin and a small white patch behind the eye.

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Key Features

Bright red skin around the eyes
White belly and lower breast contrasting with a black neck
White ear-covert patch present during breeding season
Small, slender black bill

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 7-11 AM, 3-6 PM

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Season September-February

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Diet Primarily a benthic feeder consuming small fish (like rock-cod and blennies) and various crustaceans found near the seafloor.

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Habitat Strictly marine; found along rocky coastlines, steep sea cliffs, and within coastal kelp forests.

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Where Does the Magellanic Cormorant Live?

The Magellanic Cormorant is native to the southern extremities of South America, with a core range that encompasses the rugged coastlines of southern Chile and Argentina down to Cape Horn. They are a staple of the Falkland Islands' birdlife and are commonly found from Valdivia on the Pacific side to Punta Tombo on the Atlantic. While many remain near their breeding grounds year-round, northern movements occur during winter, with some birds reaching as far as central Chile and Uruguay.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

4 Countries

2.2M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

AR Argentina CL Chile Falkland Islands UY Uruguay

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

Magellanic Cormorants, also known as Rock Shags, are highly specialized marine birds that spend their days navigating the turbulent coastal waters of the southern cone. Unlike many other cormorant species that fish in the open upper water column, these birds are dedicated bottom-feeders. They are often seen making deep, purposeful dives into kelp forests to hunt for prey hidden among the fronds and rocky crevices.

On land, they are gregarious but selective, preferring to roost and nest on the narrowest ledges of steep, inaccessible sea cliffs. This behavior offers protection from land-based predators. When not fishing, they spend a significant amount of time perched on rocks with their wings spread wide to dry, a necessary ritual because their feathers are not entirely waterproof, which helps them reduce buoyancy for deeper diving.

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Camera Tips

To capture the Magellanic Cormorant on a trail camera, focus your efforts exclusively on the coastal splash zone. Look for 'high-traffic' rocks—identifiable by the white guano staining—where these birds haul themselves out of the water to dry their wings. Position your camera on a weighted tripod or a low-profile mount just above the high-tide line, angling it toward the flat surfaces of these roosting rocks.

Lighting is your biggest challenge near the ocean. Use a camera with a high dynamic range or adjustable exposure settings to prevent the bright white of the bird's belly from blowing out against its dark back in the midday sun. Setting your camera to a burst mode of 3-5 photos per trigger is ideal for capturing the moment they shake their wings or transition from the water to the rock.

If you are monitoring a cliffside area, ensure the camera is securely tethered to prevent it from being lost in high winds or falling into the sea. Since these birds do not respond to traditional baits, timing is everything; early morning and late afternoon provide the best natural light and coincide with their most frequent transitions between the ocean and their roosts. Avoid placing cameras during the height of the breeding season in sensitive nesting areas to prevent disturbing the colony.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Magellanic Cormorant.

Imperial Shag

Larger with a white neck and blue eye-rings, unlike the black neck and red eye-rings of the Magellanic.

Red-legged Cormorant

Distinctive bright orange-red legs and a greyish body, rather than the black-and-white tuxedo look of the Magellanic.

Neotropic Cormorant

Much thinner, entirely black plumage even on the belly, and lacks the bright red facial skin.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Magellanic Cormorants are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. They typically leave their cliffside roosts at sunrise to forage and are most active in the water during the morning and late afternoon hours.

Because they are strictly marine birds, they cannot be attracted to typical inland backyards. They only visit properties located directly on rocky shorelines in their native South American range, where they may be seen resting on private docks or coastal rocks.

Their diet consists of small bottom-dwelling fish, shrimp, and crabs. They are expert divers, often navigating deep into kelp forests to find prey along the seabed.

They are only common in coastal suburban areas, such as the harbors of Ushuaia or Punta Arenas. They do not venture inland and are rarely seen away from the immediate vicinity of the ocean.

The easiest way to tell them apart is by looking at the neck and the face: Magellanic Cormorants have a black neck and red skin around the eyes, while Imperial Shags have a white neck and blue skin around the eyes.

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