Double-crested Cormorant

Description:

Double-crested Cormorants are large waterbirds with small heads on long, kinked necks. They have thin, strongly hooked bills, roughly the length of the head. Adults are brown-black with a small patch of yellow-orange skin on the face. In the breeding season, adults develop a small double crest of stringy black or white feathers.

Habitat:

Double-crested Cormorants are the most widespread cormorant in North America, and the one most frequently seen in freshwater. They breed on the coast as well as on large inland lakes. An interesting behavior of these birds is that after diving, they will spend long periods of time standing with their wings outstretched to allow them to dry, since they are not fully waterproofed.

Notes:

I spotted this pair at Mystic Aquarium, in an area where there was a small pond (the pond is used for driving remote controlled boats). They were resting on a small, secluded ledge at the edge of the pond where there was some bushes, small trees, etc. However, they are not part of the aquarium exhibits.