Increased Abundance and First Breeding Record of the Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) on the Alluvial Plain of Mississippi

Abstract

Phalacrocorax brasilianus (Neotropic Cormorant) has been observed with increasing frequency in the alluvial plain (Delta region) of Mississippi. In the past 6 years, 22 individuals have been observed in 20 separate sightings during spring and summer. These sightings have occurred at breeding colonies of other colonial waterbirds and commercial aquaculture facilities of Ictalurus punctatus (Channel Catfi sh). Two sexually mature Neotropic Cormorants have been collected at a colonial waterbird breeding colony near the Mississippi River in the western Delta region among fl ocks of Phalacrocorax auritus (Double-crested Cormorants). Twice during the summer of 2008, confi rmed nesting of Neotropic Cormorants were documented in the Delta region of Mississippi. The increased abundance and range expansion of Neotropic Cormorants in the Delta region of Mississippi may be a result of the readily available food source of cultured Channel Catfi sh. RightsWorks produced by employees of the U.S. Government as part of their official duties are not copyrighted within the U.S. The content of this document is not copyrighted.

Geographic segregation and evidence of density‐dependent changes in sex ratios in an abundant colonial waterbird

“…), although there are some recently established breeding colonies located in southeastern USA (Hanson et al . ). To reduce damage to natural resources and aquaculture, cormorants are intensively managed on breeding, migratory and wintering areas.…”

“…Cormorants east of the Rocky Mountains typically migrate between their breeding grounds in the northern USA and Canada to their wintering grounds in the southern coastal states of the USA (Dolbeer 1991;Guillaumet et al 2011), although there are some recently established breeding colonies located in southeastern USA (Hanson et al 2010). To reduce damage to natural resources and aquaculture, cormorants are intensively managed on breeding, migratory and wintering areas.…”

Parasite assemblages of Double-crested Cormorants as indicators of host populations and migration behavior

“…With the Adonis analysis, we detected unique parasite assemblages for two yearround colonies of P. auritus: breeding birds from Lake Guntersville, AL and wintering birds at Swamp Roost, MS (Hanson et al, 2010). The parasite assemblage for Swamp Roost, MS was similar to those found at Port of Columbus, MS and Cat Island, AL, which provides nesting habitat to wading birds in summer and is a roosting site for P. auritus in winter (K. L. Sheehan, personal observation).…”