Double-crested Cormorant

The Double-crested Cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus, is a North American member of the cormorant family of seabirds.

Related Topics:
North America - Cormorant - Seabird

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This is a very common and widespread species. It breeds in coastal areas as well as near inland rivers and lakes, building a stick nest in a tree, on a cliff edges or on the ground on suitable islands. They are gregarious birds, usually found in colonies, often with other aquatic birds. Their call is a deep, guttural grunt.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This bird feeds at sea and on freshwater lakes and rivers. It winters anywhere along the coasts that is well supplied with fish.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This is a large black bird 74-91 cm (29"-36") long, with a wingspan up to 132 cm (52"). It has a long tail and a yellow throat-patch, and can appear to have a green sheen in certain lighting. The white double head crest is seen for a short period during the breeding season in western birds. It is duller in eastern birds. Juveniles are brown with a white face, foreneck, and breast.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Like all cormorants, the Double-crested dives to find its prey. It eats mainly fish, but also amphibians and crustaceans. This bird swims low in the water, often with just its neck and head visible, and dives from the surface. It uses its feet for propulsion and is able to dive to a depth of 1.5-7.5 m (5-25 feet) for 30-70 seconds.

Related Topics:
Amphibia - Crustacean

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After diving, these birds spend long periods standing with wings outstretched to allow them to dry, since they are not fully waterproofed. They fly low over the water, with their bills tilted slightly upward. They sometimes leave their colony in long, single-file lines.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This species migrates from the coldest parts of its range, such as eastern Canada, and has occurred in Europe as a very rare vagrant, for example in Great Britain, Ireland and the Azores.

Related Topics:
Migrate - Canada - Europe - Great Britain - Ireland - Azores

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Double-crested Cormorant's numbers decreased in the 1960s due to the effects of DDT. Colonies have also been persecuted from time to time in areas where they are thought to compete with human fishing.

Related Topics:
1960s - DDT

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~