Birds diurnal

Double-crested Cormorant

Nannopterum auritum

The Double-crested Cormorant is an ancient-looking master of the water, famous for its striking silhouette and prehistoric profile. Whether diving for a meal or drying its wings on a sunny dock, this bird brings a touch of wild coastal energy to any backyard shoreline.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 28-35 in (70-90 cm); Wingspan: 45-48 in (114-123 cm); Weight: 2.6-5.5 lbs (1.2-2.5 kg)

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Colors

Adults are matte black with a subtle greenish or bronze sheen; facial skin is bright orange-yellow. In breeding season, they develop small tufts of black or white feathers above the eyes and have a vivid blue inner mouth.

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Key Features

Bright orange-yellow throat patch and facial skin
Hooked tip on a heavy gray bill
Kinked neck during flight
Often seen standing with wings spread wide to dry

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 7-11 AM and 3-6 PM

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Season Year-round in coastal and southern regions; March-November in northern interior states during migration.

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Diet Primarily fish of various sizes, but they also consume crustaceans and amphibians. They hunt by pursuit-diving from the surface, using their powerful webbed feet to propel themselves underwater.

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Habitat Found in both freshwater and saltwater environments including lakes, rivers, estuaries, coastal bays, and suburban retention ponds.

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Behavior

Double-crested Cormorants are highly social water birds, often found in large colonies or seen flying in long, V-shaped lines like geese. They are silent hunters of the water, sitting low on the surface before disappearing beneath the waves to chase fish with surprising speed and agility. Unlike most water birds, their feathers are not fully waterproof; while this helps them sink and dive more effectively, it also means they must spend hours 'loafing' on docks, rocks, or trees with their wings spread open to dry in the sun.

In suburban environments, they are remarkably adaptable and have become a common sight on backyard boat docks and golf course ponds. They are generally wary of humans but can become accustomed to activity if not directly approached. During the breeding season, males choose a nesting site and then perform elaborate wing-flapping displays to attract a mate, often returning to the same communal nesting site year after year.

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Camera Tips

To capture the best footage of a Double-crested Cormorant, focus your camera efforts on 'loafing' spots rather than the water itself. These birds have favorite perches—usually a sun-exposed dock piling, a partially submerged log, or a specific rock—where they return daily to dry their wings. Position your camera about 2 to 3 feet above the water level, angled slightly upward toward the perch. This angle captures the iconic 'heraldic' pose where they stand with wings outstretched, providing a dramatic silhouette against the sky or water.

Lighting is a critical challenge when filming cormorants due to their dark plumage. To avoid ending up with a 'black blob' on camera, try to place your camera so the morning or evening sun is behind the camera and hitting the bird directly. This side-lighting or front-lighting will reveal the intricate texture of their feathers and the vibrant orange of their facial skin. If your camera allows for exposure adjustment, slightly overexposing the shot can help bring out details in their dark bodies, especially on overcast days.

Because cormorants are relatively large and move with a steady, predictable pace when landing or taking off, use a medium trigger speed (around 0.5 seconds). If you are using a video-capable camera, set it to record 20-30 second clips. This duration is usually enough to capture the bird landing, settling its wings, and beginning its preening routine. For the best results, avoid placing cameras too close to busy human walkways, as they are easily spooked by sudden movements on land, though they are quite tolerant of stationary cameras once they've been in place for a few days.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Double-crested Cormorant.

Great Cormorant

Larger with a white patch on the throat and thigh, and lacks the bright orange facial skin of the Double-crested.

Neotropic Cormorant

Smaller with a longer tail and a white 'V' shape bordering the throat patch.

Anhinga

Often called the 'Snakebird,' it has a much longer, fan-shaped tail and a dagger-like pointed bill without a hook.

Frequently Asked Questions

They are most active during the daylight hours, specifically in the early morning and late afternoon when they do the majority of their fishing. You will often see them resting and drying their wings during the brightest part of midday.

The best way to attract them is to provide a stable 'loafing' spot if you live on the water. A floating log or a dedicated bird pole in a quiet area of a pond or lake is highly attractive to them as a safe place to dry their wings after a hunt.

They are almost exclusively fish-eaters. They catch a wide variety of species, ranging from small minnows to larger perch or sunfish. They are excellent at controlling fish populations in local ponds.

Yes, they have become increasingly common in suburban areas over the last few decades. They are frequently found in man-made retention ponds, golf course water hazards, and residential canals throughout North America.

While they look similar, the cormorant has a hooked tip on its bill, whereas the Anhinga has a straight, pointed bill. In flight, cormorants have a distinct 'kink' in their neck, while Anhingas fly with their necks straight out.

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