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Project Noah Nature School
Phalacrocorax harrisi
The Flightless Cormorant is endemic to the Galapagos Islands, and an example of the highly unusual fauna there. It is unique in that it is the only cormorant that has lost the ability to fly. With only 1500 estimated individuals, it is one of the world's rarest birds and is the subject of an active conservation program.
Punta Vicente Roca, Galapagos
Spotted on Nov 26, 2012
Submitted on Dec 19, 2012
3 Comments
Thanks Tony & Atul. We saw relatively few of this species & mainly from the dingy so not the easiest to get decent photos. They are a very interesting example of micro evolution - they hunt in the water & their wings have adapted to the extent they now serve no purpose at all - they propel themselves with their feet unlike the penguins who use their vestigial wings to "fly" underwater.
Amazing !! thanks for sharing this one Karen !
Wow, how nice to be able to spot these rare birds.