Rare flightless bird sighted exploring in Sankey Canal

A flightless cormorant was spotted frolicking in the canal on Sunday, February 19.

According to Galapagos Conservation, this is the only species of 29 cormorants that has lost the ability to fly.

The rare bird was sighted over the weekend (Image: Rob Herdlicska)

Galapagos Conservation says: "As the name suggests, they cannot fly away and are therefore confined to the lava shoreline and beaches of Isabela and Fernandina. 

"The adults are black on top and dark brown underneath with bright turquoise eyes.

"They have stunted wings that are one-third the size of the wingspan they would require to fly."

This bird was sighted in Sankey Canal, near the Seven Arches bridge, by Rob Herdlicska.

Rob said: "As you can see, it is not a normal cormorant because the wings are small and developed for swimming rather than flying.

"I know how normal cormorants look like and they swim at the surface while this one has only its neck and head out of the water."

However, given that these birds have lost the ability to fly, the question remains as to how exactly the cormorant made it all the way from the Galapagos Islands - from where it is indigenous - to the tropical isles of Warrington's waterways.

Have you spotted the cormorant? (Image: Rob Herdlicska)

Rob has a theory about this, he said: "I'm thinking that maybe came here with some fishing boat through the Mersey and then into the canal."

Well, whatever the reason for the appearance of the rare bird - of which there are thought to be around only 1,000 breeding pairs, currently - it was certainly a sight to behold for Rob, who often walks his dog in the area.

Have you spotted Warrington's resident cormorant yet?

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