Abstract:
We report the location and size of reproductive colonies of cormorant species in the Deseado estuary (Argentina). Five colonies of Red-legged Cormorants (Phalacrocorax gaimardi), Rock Cormorants (P. magellanicus), and Neotropic Cormorants (P. olivaceus) were counted. The Red-legged Cormorant is the most abundant and more widely distributed cormorant species within the estuary. Estimated reproductive populations are 588,306 and 186 individuals for the Redlegged Cormorant, Neotropic Cormorant and Rock Cormorant, respectively. Although Rock Cormorants nest in a cliffused also by Red-Iegged Cormorants, limits between their colonies are well established. Given their magnitude, cormorant colonies at Puerto Deseado should be highlighted for conservation purposes.