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Double-crested Cormorant

Phalacrocorax auritus ORDER: SULIFORMES FAMILY: PHALACROCORACIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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The Double-crested Cormorant is the most numerous and widespread North American cormorant. It's also the only one that occurs in large numbers inland as well as on the coast. Growing in numbers throughout its range, this cormorant is increasingly being blamed for declines in sport fisheries and for devastating fish farms.

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Appearance

Gull-like
Gull-like
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Large, dark water bird.
  • Long body and long neck.
  • Medium-sized bill is blunt or hooked at tip.

Immature Description

Upper breast and throat pale. Chest variable from nearly whitish to dusky. Usually chest pale and belly dark, but may be uniform pale below.

Range Map Help

Double-crested Cormorant Range Map
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Field MarksHelp

  • Adult nonbreeding
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    Double-crested Cormorant

    Adult nonbreeding
    • © Marie Read, Everglades, Florida, January 2000
  • Adult breeding
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    Double-crested Cormorant

    Adult breeding
    • © Marie Read
  • Juvenile
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    Double-crested Cormorant

    Juvenile
    • © L.B.Wales/CLO

Similar Species

  • Great Cormorant bigger and blockier, has yellow facial skin bordered by white feathers; immature with belly paler than chest.
  • Neotropic Cormorant slimmer; tail longer; facial skin smaller and pointed at rear, bordered white in breeding adult.
  • Brandt's Cormorant has less conspicuous and dark facial skin, bordered with pale feathers.
  • Red-faced and Pelagic cormorants smaller and slimmer, with much smaller bills and red facial skin.