Observe flightless cormorants in their natural habitat on coasts of Fernandina and Isabela islands
The flightless cormorant (Phalacrocorax harrisi), endemic to the Galpagos Islands.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Magical creature or real-life lizard?
-
Adapted from C.R. Scotese, The University of Texas at ArlingtonWatch a time-lapse of Earth changing through geologic time, from the Cambrian Era to the projected period of Pangea Proxima.Media Editor: Miranda Chabot
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.The banded sand snake (Chilomeniscus cinctus) is adapted to burrowing, and “swims” beneath the sand. The sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes) uses a different method of locomotion—sidewinding—to move along the sand's surface. Both snakes are found in North American deserts.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.The unique architecture of the hummingbird's wings allow it to hover over flowers in midflight. Iridescent feathers on the head and throat display a variety of brilliant colours.
-
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, MainzLearn about cormorant fishing, a traditional method of fishing practiced in Japan that uses trained birds.
-
© Open University (A Britannica Publishing Partner)Tour San Salvador (Santiago) Island, in the Galapagos Islands, where Charles Darwin studied wildlife in 1835.
-
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, MainzOverview of Bird Island, Seychelles.
Transcript
NARRATOR: The flightless cormorant is found only in the Galapagos Islands and, more precisely, on the coastline of the islands Fernandina and Isabela. Its small numbers—around 1,000 individuals—make it an endangered species. Although it can no longer fly, the habit of wing drying still persists.
The seabird's swimming and fishing ability compensates for its flightlessness.
The cormorant, like the marine iguana, drinks seawater when necessary. Excess salt is extracted and drops from the beak as brine.
The seabird's swimming and fishing ability compensates for its flightlessness.
The cormorant, like the marine iguana, drinks seawater when necessary. Excess salt is extracted and drops from the beak as brine.
Last Modification: