Double-Crested Cormorant

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Double-Crested Cormorant Photo

Double-crested Cormorants are among several cormorant species in California. You can sometimes see cormorants perched in long rows with wings outstretched, catching some rays. Because their plumage isn't fully water-repellent, cormorants must dry their wings -- a seeming injustice for a bird that spends so much of its time getting wet.

Double-crested Cormorants stay on the California coast year round. They are often blamed for a reduction in fish and fish farm numbers, which has led to measures to cull their numbers. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology claims the evidence for the cormorant/fish connection is sparse.

Watching cormorants take flight and skim the surface of the water is a visual joy around the Bay Area where you'll find their numbers plentiful.

Identifying characteristics:

• Size: 27-35 inches | Wingspan: 40-50 inches
• Dark/black body and head with white plumage (on head) during breeding season
• Long neck
• Bill hooked at tip
• Webbed feet

Double-crested Cormorants will nest in trees or on cliffs with clutch sizes of three to four eggs. They eat fish but sometimes crustaceans and amphibians.

Photo © Mike Baird

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^{Mike Baird Bio
Sources: U.S. Geological Survey | Cornell Lab of Ornithology}