pale cormorant

[dunlin]

Hi all,
Took this picture today at silverdale. It was only when i looked at the picture when i got home i realised how pale it is.
Im not sure if its sinensis or just a juvenile carbo. The underwing looks very light to me and i cant see this in any of my bird books.
The birds wing the one on the left of the picture has caught the sun light making it brighter than it actually should be but the other wing looks bright even though its in shade.
Any suggestions welcome...

Regards mark.....

[aeshna5]

You won't ID that as a carbo or sinensis as the only reliable way is the gular angle. And you get crosses between the 2 races too especially in the east where the 2 forms occur. The fact the plumage is generally black suggests an adult to me.

[Badgerman]

It looks leucistic to me. Fiist Cormorant ive seen in this condition.

[dunlin]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

You won't ID that as a carbo or sinensis as the only reliable way is the gular angle. And you get crosses between the 2 races too especially in the east where the 2 forms occur. The fact the plumage is generally black suggests an adult to me.

I see what you mean about being mainly dark. Do you think its an adult cross or could it be a juvenile moulting into adulthood.
Ive seen juveniles before showing white on chest and belly but they tend to be brown rather than black.

regards mark

[dunlin]

Originally Posted by Badgerman

It looks leucistic to me. Fiist Cormorant ive seen in this condition.

Hi badgerman,
I dont think its leucistic, i see quite a few with varying degrees of white on them, its just that this one seems to be showing more than most.
cheers mark

[Dogghound]

It looks like a juvenile to me, we get lots round here.

[Badgerman]

Originally Posted by dunlin

Hi badgerman,
I dont think its leucistic, i see quite a few with varying degrees of white on them, its just that this one seems to be showing more than most.
cheers mark

If so, then its still a first for me, since ive never seen an immature or sinensis with white within its wings. On imms its mostly confined to the chest/belly...on sinensis in spring, its confined to the head and neck. Maybe its just an abberation

[dunlin]

Originally Posted by Badgerman

If so, then its still a first for me, since ive never seen an immature or sinensis with white within its wings. On imms its mostly confined to the chest/belly...on sinensis in spring, its confined to the head and neck. Maybe its just an abberation

Although the wings look white well at least one of them i think its a trick of the light. Sun reflection off the underside of the primaries and secondaries.
However the wing thats in shade looks paler than it should do.
As aeishna said they cross between the two races.
Its got me stumped
regards mark....