126 



PELAGIC CORMORANT (Phalacrooorax pelagians; choice 4' and 7', 

 pg. 33) is the smallest cormorant species and is rather more delicate 

 than others in some of its proportions. It is most similar to the Red- 

 faced Cormorant. These two species have white feathers on their flanks 

 only early during the nesting season. 



Pelagic Cormorants occur from the Bering Sea to northern Baja 

 California. Except where sea ice forms in the northern Bering Sea, 

 they are present in these areas the year round. 



RED-FACED CORMORANT (Phalaorooorax urlle; choice 3' and 6', pp. 32-33) 

 is most difficult to separate from the Pelagic Cormorant. No more in- 

 formation can be added except what is contained in the keys. If the 

 specimen is headless, identification should be verified by someone 

 experienced in separating the two species in the hand. 



Red-faced Cormorants occur mainly in the Bering Sea and among the 

 Aleutian Islands. They also nest on islands off the south coast of the 

 Alaska Peninsula. They are present in these areas year round except 

 where sea ice occurs in winter. 



FRIGATEBIRDS (FREGATIDAE) 



MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD (Fregata magnif-ioens; choices 3-4', pg. 17) 

 is one of the largest marine birds that occurs along the Pacific coast but 

 its very light weight is truly remarkable. The frigatebird's bill is 

 rather long with a very large, sharp hook at the end (Plate 4-1). Except 

 for the white breast of females and the white head, throat and breast of 

 immature birds, their feathers are entirely black. Almost all frigate- 

 birds that occur in this area are immatures. 



Frigatebirds occur year round from central Baja California south and 

 quite regularly but in very low numbers during the summer and fall as far 

 north as southern California. They occur north of there, and very rarely 

 as far as Oregon, only during years when waters are unusually warm. North 

 of southern California specimens should be saved for verification. 



SWANS AND GEESE (ANATIDAE) 



WHISTLING SWAN (plor columbianus; choice 3, pg. 34) and TRUMPETER SWAN 

 (oior buccinator:, choice 3', pg. 34) are very large, long necked, 

 white- (juveniles may be washed with gray) bodied, dark-legged birds. 

 Care should be taken separating Whistling from Trumpeter Swans; the 

 important differences are given in the key. Whistling Swans occur between 

 April and September at breeding sites on the western Alaskan coast. 

 During the remainder of the year they may occur at coastal sites from the 

 Aleutian Islands to Morro Bay, California, although most winter between 

 Puget Sound and San Francisco Bay. Trumpeter Swans breed at a few coastal 

 locations in southern Alaska and winter from the Alaska Peninsula south 

 to the Columbia River mouth in northern Oregon. 



