A small, slender cormorant with a thin, dark bill. Blackish overall with glossy green head and body and purplish neck. Breeding adults have white patches on sides of rump and limited reddish face. Strictly coastal, where it nests on cliffs. Dives to capture fish. Smaller than Brandt’s or Red-faced Cormorants, with a more slender neck and a thinner dark bill. Fairly extensive range along west coast of North America and in East Asia.