Double-Crested Cormorant

Description:

A large black waterbird that develops a small double crest of black and white feathers just above the eyes during breeding season. The double-crested cormorant has a small bare patch of orange-yellow facial skin. It has a stocky body, long neck and tail, webbed black feet and a medium sized hooked bill. It's wingspan can be 4 feet.

Habitat:

Found along inland waterways and coastal areas. The double-crested cormorant is widely distributed across North America.

Notes:

Cormorants eat fish and hunt by swimming and surface diving. It swims low in the water using its feet for propulsion Often only its head and neck are visible above the water surface. It can dive to a depth of about 24 feet and stay underwater for 30-70 seconds Their feathers are not waterproof and it must spend time drying them out after swimming or flying will be difficult.