A Galapagos cormorant is a species of cormorant that is endemic to the Galapagos Islands. They are dark brown in colour with a white neck and breast. They have black feathers on their head, back, and wings.
Galapagos cormorants are excellent swimmers and divers. They use their wings to propel themselves underwater and can stay submerged for up to one minute. They feed mainly on fish, but will also eat other types of sea life, such as crustaceans and molluscs.
Galapagos cormorants are monogamous birds and mate for life. The couples build their nests together from sticks and seaweed. The female lays two to four eggs, which the male incubates for about four weeks. Both parents take turns feeding the chicks, which fledge from the nest after about eight weeks.
Galapagos cormorants are considered to be a threatened species. There are estimated to be only about 1,500-2,000 of them remaining in the wild. This is due to several factors, including habitat loss, competition with other bird species for food, and predation by feral cats and rats.
Despite their declining numbers, the Galapagos cormorant remains an important part of the ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands. They play a vital role in controlling the populations of fish and other sea life. They are also an important source of food for many other native species of birds and animals.