Phalacrocorax auritus Photo Chris Burney ©
The double-crested cormorant is the most abundant and widespread cormorant in North America - seen along the coast and inland. They are large, dark birds with long hooked bills and a long tail. Double-crested Cormorants are sometimes confused with the anhinga, which has a longer, slender neck, a long, pointed bill and a much longer tail. Both species spread their wings to dry while perching on branches near water.
Double-crested cormorants swim low in the water, with only their head and neck showing. They do not plunge dive when feeding but dive for fish from the water’s surface.
top of page | back to birds
|