EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

Each week a different image of our fascinating environment is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional ecologist.

24-30 September 2018

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Takeoff

Brandt's Cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus), Family Phalacrocoracidae
Moro Bay, California

Credit & Copyright: Dr. Bruce G. Marcot

Explanation:  Takeoff time!  This is a Brandt's Cormorant in Moro Bay, California ... demonstrating what it takes to get airborne. 

This is instructive in that cormorants have relatively high wing-loading, meaning there is relatively high body weight for relatively small wing area.  The "loading" part thus pertains to a measure of body mass per unit wing area.  

For bird nerds, the average wing loading has been measured as 1.58 grams per cubic centimeter...

Cormorants, further, swim low in the water and thus often have soaked feathers, so that the weight of water adds to the wing loading.  They often have to dry themselves with wings outstretched.  

You go, bird!  

    

Next week's picture:  Tundra in Transition

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Author & Webmaster: Dr. Bruce G. Marcot, Tom Bruce
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