Diving behavior and foraging areas of the Neotropic Cormorant at a marine colony in Patagonia, Argentina

QUINTANA, F.; YORIO, P..; LISNIZER, N.; GATTO, A.; SORIA, G

WILSON BULLETIN

Año: 2004 vol. 116 p. 83 - 88

0043-5643

The Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) is a widespread and abundant species distributed throughout the Neotropics. We report on diving behavior and foraging areas of Neotropic Cormorants in inshore marine waters of Patagonia, Argentina. Mean dive duration was 18.9 6 5.3 sec and differed significantly among birds. Maximum dive duration was 43 sec. Birds spent 58–79% of their time at sea underwater. Mean recovery time at the surface between successive dives was 6.7 6 1.5 sec, and was also significantly different among individuals. Mean diving efficiency (mean dive duration time/mean recovery time) was 2.6 6 0.5 (range: 0.5–4.6). We were able to locate birds while feeding on 112 of 215 occasions. Almost 90% of mapped locations (68 feeding trips) were within 2.5 km of the colony. However, we did not receive a signal on 103 occasions, suggesting that foraging may also occur in waters outside the inlet where the colony was located. High variability in dive duration and recovery time is congruent with flexible foraging techniques and diet, as Neotropic Cormorants feed on both bottom and pelagic schooling fish.