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Phalacrocorax auritus
The Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) is a member of the cormorant family of seabirds. It occurs along inland waterways as well as in coastal areas, and is widely distributed across North America, from the Aleutian Islands in Alaska down to Florida and Mexico. Measuring 70–90 cm (28–35 in) in length, it is an all-black bird which gains a small double crest of black and white feathers in breeding season. It has a bare patch of orange-yellow facial skin.
The Double-crested Cormorant is found near rivers, lakes and along the coastline. It mainly eats fish and hunts by swimming and diving. Its feathers, like those of all cormorants, are not waterproof and it must spend time drying them out after spending time in the water.
I was able to watch and photograph two of these birds. I was rather shocked to see them in our State when I did, simply because their wings are not waterproof like ducks. Because of this I would have thought they would not want to risk diving into water, and then drying their feathers in temperatures at or below freezing.
13 Comments
Thanks Carol, I am more then willing to take you or others on a photo shoot, should I have the time to do so.
Can I come visit you? HA! LOL! Show me the birds!!!
Thanks everyone for the wonderful comments.
I finally saw the two crests on it's head this April!!
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/102...
awesome as usual !!
Amazing pictures Willie!
beautiful photos once again!
What a lovely portrait! I love those turquoise eyes!
lovely series!
Usted es mucho a la clase, Haruame
Espectacular series felicidades!!
Thank you so much Gerardo Aizpura
Wonderful series Willie:)