A black goose-sized diving bird with hooked orange bill. Their feathers aren't waterproof — they perch wings-spread to dry, a familiar pose on docks and dead trees.

Also called: Double-crest, Florida Shag

Native status: Native; widespread

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 70–90 cm (28–35 in); wingspan 1.1–1.2 m
Weight1.2–2.5 kg
LifespanWild typically 6 years; oldest documented 22
OrderSuliformes
FamilyPhalacrocoracidae

§ Encyclopedia

The double-crested cormorant is a member of the cormorant family of water birds. It is found near rivers and lakes and in coastal areas and is widely distributed across North America, from the Aleutian Islands in Alaska down to Florida and Mexico. Measuring 70–90 cm (28–35 in) in length, it is entirely black except for a bare patch of orange-yellow facial skin and some extra plumage that it exhibits in the breeding season when it grows a double crest in which black feathers are mingled with white. Five subspecies are recognized. It mainly eats fish and hunts by swimming and diving. Its feathers, like all cormorants, are not waterproof, and it must dry them out after spending time in the water. Once threatened by the use of DDT, the numbers of this bird have increased markedly in recent years.

Source: Wikipedia — Double-crested cormorant Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Large dark waterbird with hooked yellow bill, long neck, long pointed tail. Adults orange-yellow throat patch and (briefly in breeding season) wispy double crests over each eye.

Similar species. Other cormorant species (different throat patches and proportions). Anhinga (long sharp dagger bill, white wing patches).

Voice. Generally silent away from colonies; grunting calls at nest sites.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Fish (caught underwater by foot-propelled pursuit dive to depths of 25+ m); occasional crustaceans, amphibians, eels.

Behavior. Most widespread cormorant in North America. Unlike most waterbirds, feathers are NOT fully waterproof — by design, since trapped air would prevent diving. After fishing, cormorants spread wings to dry in characteristic "spread-eagle" pose. Was nearly extirpated from much of inland North America by DDT-era reproductive failure; population recovered explosively after DDT ban and is now considered overabundant in some areas, conflicting with commercial fish farms and salmon recoveries.

§ Range

Across most of North America

§ Habitat

Coasts, large rivers, lakes, ponds

§ Threats

Population control programs, oil spills, contamination from fish prey.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the double-crested cormorant is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support balanced cormorant management based on science. Reduce mercury pollution. Maintain large dead trees for roosts.

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Cornell Lab — All About Birds
  • USDA Wildlife Services
  • National Audubon Society
  • IUCN Red List 2018