Double-crested Cormorant

The Double-crested Cormorant is the most widespread and familiar cormorant in North America, found on lakes, rivers, and coastlines across the continent. It is well known for its habit of perching upright with wings spread wide to dry after diving.

Appearance

Adults are almost entirely black with a slight glossy sheen, a long hooked bill, and bright orange-yellow facial skin and throat pouch. Breeding adults grow small tufts of feathers on the head that give the species its name, though these "double crests" are often inconspicuous or absent-looking in the field.

Key field marks

• All-black body plumage with a glossy sheen
• Long, thin, hooked bill
• Bright orange-yellow facial skin and throat pouch
• Bright turquoise eyes, visible at close range
• Habit of perching with wings spread open to dry

Similar species

It can be confused with other cormorant species where ranges overlap, such as the Neotropic Cormorant, but the Double-crested Cormorant is generally larger with more extensive orange facial skin forming a distinct angular patch behind the bill, compared to the thinner white-bordered patch of the Neotropic Cormorant.

Habitat and range

Double-crested Cormorants are found across a huge range of freshwater and coastal habitats throughout North America, from lakes and rivers well inland to coastal bays and estuaries. They breed colonially and are found from Alaska and Canada south through the United States to Mexico.

Northern populations are migratory, moving south in winter, while populations in milder coastal regions may be resident year-round.

Behavior

Double-crested Cormorants forage by diving from the water's surface and pursuing fish underwater using powerful webbed feet for propulsion. Because their feathers are not fully waterproof, they must regularly perch with wings outstretched to dry, a highly characteristic posture.

Voice

They are generally silent away from colonies, but give low grunting or pig-like croaking calls near nests.

Nesting and breeding

They nest colonially in trees, on cliffs, or on the ground on islands, building stick nests, and typically lay three to four eggs. Colonies are often shared with herons, egrets, or other waterbirds.