Double-crested Cormorant - Photos by Bruce Dayton - Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)

ORDER: Pelecaniformes
FAMILY: Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants - 6 Species)
SPECIES: Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)

Double-crested Cormorant
The Double-crested Cormorant is a North American member of the cormorant family of seabirds and the most common cormorant in North American of the six species found there. They are gregarious birds usually found in colonies. The Double-crested Cormorant swims low in the water, often with just its neck and head visible. Cormorants regurgitate pellets containing undigested parts of their meals.
SIZE	They are a large (28-36"), black seabird.
DESCRIPTION	The Double-crested Cormorant is a large black bird. It has a long tail and a yellow throat-patch, The white double head crest is seen for a short period during the breeding season. Sexes are similar in appearance.
NESTING	Clutch size ranges from 3-4 eggs, which are incubated in 25 to 30 days. They build their nests of twigs, branches and other drift material, in trees or on the ground, if suitable. They are particularly fond of islands for nesting.
RANGE	They can be found across the United Sates at some time during the year, when migrating or as permanent residents. they migrate from the coldest parts of its breeding range. They will winter anywhere that is ice-free along both coasts, as far north as southern Alaska on the west coast and southern New England on the east coast.
HABITAT	The Double-crested Cormorant habitats inland lakes, rivers and swamps as well as on the coasts.
DIET	They feed by diving and swimming underwater to catch fish. It mainly eats fish, but will sometimes also eat amphibians and crustaceans.
SPECIAL	Recently the population of Double-crested Cormorant has greatly increased. This has caused concern that it may be responsible for the decline of some important sport-fish populations in the Great Lakes as well playing havoc on aquaculture ponds (fish farms) in the south. Recent legislation has been proposed to control cormorant numbers.

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The images on this web page are copyrighted © 2003 - 2007 by Bruce Dayton. I want to share my photos to promote conservation and to help people identify and learn about the birds and other creatures that live with us on the North American continent. Please do not use any of my work in any non-profit or for-profit project without first getting written permission from me. You can ask for permission by emailing me at webmaster@wildlifeofnorthamerica.info. All reproductions must bear an appropriate credit.




Double-crested Cormorant

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Seneca County, New York


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Nighthawk Drawing by Louis Agassiz Fuertes