Birds diurnal

Guanay Cormorant

Leucocarbo bougainvilliorum

Often called the 'King of Guano,' the Guanay Cormorant is the most iconic seabird of the Humboldt Current. With its striking red eye-patches and tuxedo-like plumage, it is a master of the deep-sea hunt.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 71–76 cm (28–30 in); Wingspan: approx 100 cm (39 in); Weight: 1.8–2.4 kg (4–5.3 lbs)

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Colors

Glossy black upperparts and head with a contrasting pure white breast and belly; naked red skin around the eyes and pinkish-orange feet.

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Key Features

Bright red facial skin encircling the eye
Pure white underparts contrasting sharply with black wings
Pink or flesh-colored feet
Long, grayish bill with a hooked tip

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 6-10 AM and 3-6 PM

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Season Year-round, with peak breeding visibility between November and February

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Diet Primarily feeds on Peruvian anchovetas and sardines, using pursuit-diving to catch fish at depths of up to 30 meters.

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Habitat Cold, nutrient-rich coastal waters, rocky offshore islands, and steep sea cliffs along the Pacific coast.

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Behavior

The Guanay Cormorant is one of the most gregarious bird species in the world, often seen in massive, undulating flocks that can number in the tens of thousands. Historically known as the most important 'guano bird,' they congregate on rocky islands off the coast of South America to breed, creating vast colonies where their droppings accumulate into thick layers of nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Their flight is purposeful and low over the water, moving in long, snake-like lines as they search for schools of fish.

In the water, they are master divers. Unlike many other seabirds that scavenge, the Guanay Cormorant is an active hunter that pursues prey underwater using its powerful webbed feet for propulsion. While they are generally wary of humans, they have become accustomed to the presence of guano harvesters and coastal fishermen, though they are highly sensitive to the disruptions caused by El Niño cycles, which can deplete their food supply and force mass migrations.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the Guanay Cormorant requires planning for high-contrast environments. Because of their stark black-and-white plumage, cameras can easily overexpose the white belly or lose detail in the black wings. If your AI camera allows for exposure compensation, set it slightly negative (-0.3 or -0.7) to preserve the texture in their white feathers. Position your camera on a sturdy tripod or mount on a cliff-side overlook or a pier, aiming for a 45-degree angle toward the water to capture both their diving entry and surfacing behavior.

Salt spray is the biggest enemy of coastal wildlife photography. If you are placing a trail camera near the shoreline, use a waterproof housing and consider applying a hydrophobic spray to the lens cover to prevent water spots from obscuring the view. Because these birds are exceptionally fast in the water and air, use the highest shutter speed or 'Action' mode available on your device. A burst setting is essential; it allows you to capture the exact moment their red facial skin is illuminated as they turn their heads toward the sun.

For those lucky enough to live near a colony, wide-angle lenses are surprisingly effective at capturing the sheer scale of their social structure. However, for individual portraits, a telephoto lens or a zoom-capable AI camera is better to avoid disturbing the birds. Look for 'sentinel' rocks where individuals often perch to dry their wings. Since they do not have fully waterproof feathers, they spend significant time standing still with wings spread wide—this is the perfect 'low-motion' moment for a camera to trigger a high-resolution still image.

Lastly, pay attention to the tides. Guanay Cormorants are most active when the tide is pushing schools of fish closer to the shore. Set your camera to be most active during the morning hours when the light is softer. Avoid mid-day sun, which creates harsh glares off the ocean surface that can trigger 'false positives' on motion sensors. If using a bait or lure, remember that these are visual hunters—shimmering reflective objects placed just under the water surface can sometimes pique their curiosity, though natural activity near fish schools is always the best attractor.

Similar Species

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

Neotropic Cormorant

Much smaller with entirely dark plumage and a longer tail; lacks the white underparts and red facial skin.

Red-legged Cormorant

Has a distinct grey body, bright red legs, and a white patch on the side of the neck, rather than a white belly.

Blue-eyed Shag

Found much further south in Antarctica/Patagonia, it features a blue eye-ring and a yellow fleshy growth above the bill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Guanay Cormorants are strictly diurnal, meaning they are active during daylight hours. They typically leave their roosts at dawn in massive flocks to forage for fish and return to their rocky nesting sites shortly before sunset.

Unless your 'backyard' is a coastal cliff or beachfront property in Peru or Chile, you won't typically see them. However, if you live on the coast, they are attracted to areas with high concentrations of small schooling fish like anchovies. They do not visit bird feeders.

Their diet consists almost entirely of small pelagic fish, specifically the Peruvian anchoveta. They are specialized hunters that can dive deep into the cold waters of the Humboldt Current to chase down schools of fish.

No, they are strictly maritime birds. You will only find them in coastal environments, particularly on offshore islands and rugged shorelines far from dense urban development.

The easiest way to tell them apart is by their belly; the Guanay Cormorant has a bright white chest and belly, while the Neotropic Cormorant is almost entirely black. Additionally, look for the Guanay's distinctive red skin around the eyes.

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