Birds diurnal

Red-legged Cormorant

Poikilocarbo gaimardi

Meet the rebel of the cormorant family: a solitary cliff-dweller with striking turquoise eyes and neon-red feet. The Red-legged Cormorant trades the crowded colony for the rugged beauty of South America's rocky coastlines.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 71–76 cm (28–30 in); Wingspan: 90–100 cm (35–39 in); Weight: 1.2–1.5 kg (2.6–3.3 lbs)

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Colors

Distinctive smoky grey plumage with subtle white speckling on the neck. Bright neon-red to orange-red legs and feet. Yellow-orange bill with a prominent red base and striking turquoise eyes.

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Key Features

Vibrant red or orange-red legs and feet
Uniform smoky-grey plumage with a white neck patch
Yellowish bill with a bright red base
Solitary or paired behavior, rarely in large colonies

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 7:00 AM - 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM

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Season Year-round, with peak visibility during the breeding season from October to January.

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Diet A specialized diver that feeds on small fish, eels, and a variety of crustaceans like shrimp and small crabs found in kelp forests and rocky crevices.

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Habitat Exclusively coastal; found on steep sea cliffs, rocky islets, and rugged shorelines along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of South America.

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Behavior

The Red-legged Cormorant is a fascinating outlier among seabirds. While most cormorants are highly social and nest in dense, noisy colonies, this species is decidedly non-colonial. You are more likely to spot them as solitary figures or in quiet pairs perched precariously on the steep, rugged cliffs of the South American coastline. They are masters of the 'splash zone,' navigating the turbulent waters where the Pacific and Atlantic waves crash against rocky outcrops.

Interestingly, this species lacks the iconic 'wing-spreading' posture common to almost all other cormorants. While their cousins stand for hours with wings outstretched to dry their feathers, the Red-legged Cormorant keeps its wings tucked, suggesting a different feather structure or a more efficient waterproofing method. They are generally shy around humans, preferring inaccessible cliff faces where they build nests out of seaweed and guano.

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Camera Tips

To capture high-quality footage of a Red-legged Cormorant, your best bet is to focus on 'sentinel' rocks. These birds are creatures of habit and will return to the same rocky perch day after day to rest between fishing trips. Look for rocks near the shoreline that are heavily marked with white guano; these are prime locations for camera placement. Use a tripod and position your camera at a slight downward angle to capture the bird against the backdrop of the ocean, which highlights their unique grey coloration and red legs.

Because these birds inhabit high-contrast environments—bright white surf against dark volcanic rocks—exposure management is critical. If your camera has manual settings, underexpose by 0.5 or 1.0 stop to prevent the white patch on their neck from 'blowing out' in the midday sun. Fast shutter speeds (at least 1/1000s) are essential if you want to freeze the action as they emerge from the water or navigate the spray. Since they are diurnal, ensure your camera is set to record during daylight hours to save battery and storage space.

Standard lures and baits are ineffective for this species, as they only hunt live, moving prey in the water. Instead, use 'visual baiting' by identifying their preferred nesting ledges or resting spots. If you are using a trail camera, set it to a short trigger interval with a 3-5 shot burst. These birds often perform subtle head-bobbing or preening movements that are better captured in a sequence rather than a single still image. Avoid placing cameras too close to active nests to prevent disturbing their breeding cycle; a telephoto lens or a camera with a decent zoom is preferred.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Red-legged Cormorant.

Guanay Cormorant

The Guanay has a white belly and black back, resembling a penguin, and has pinkish legs instead of bright red.

Rock Shag

Also nests on cliffs, but features a black neck and head with a distinct white belly, whereas the Red-legged is grey all over.

Neotropic Cormorant

Much darker (almost entirely black) with a longer tail and is frequently found in freshwater environments, unlike the marine-exclusive Red-legged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Red-legged Cormorants are strictly diurnal. They are most active during the early morning and late afternoon when they leave their cliff perches to forage for fish in the shallow coastal waters.

Because they are marine specialists, you won't find them in traditional inland backyards. If you live on a rocky South American coastline, you can encourage them by maintaining a natural, undisturbed shoreline and avoiding the use of bright lights that could disrupt their nighttime roosting on cliffs.

Their diet is comprised of small marine fish and various crustaceans. They are expert divers, swimming through kelp forests to find prey hidden in rocky underwater crevices.

No, they are highly specialized birds that rarely venture away from the sea. You will only find them in rugged coastal habitats, far from the urban sprawl and suburban gardens.

The most obvious giveaway is their bright red legs and smoky-grey body. Most other cormorants are black or dark brown. Additionally, they are usually seen alone or in pairs rather than in the large, crowded flocks typical of other species.

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