The Double-crested Cormorant is common in Florida. It is a water bird that looks like an oversized black duck with a narrow hooked bill. The Cormorant's bill is gray, and its face is orange. It has beautiful turquoise-blue eyes and black webbed feet. Its "double crest" is a type of breeding plumage that is almost impossible to see.
An adult Cormorant dries its wings
The Cormorant uses a "bat pose" to dry off. Since their feathers do not repel water, these birds must make an effort to dry their feathers after a swim. Like the slimmer Anhinga, the Cormorant spreads its wings and holds them outstretched until the feathers are dry. Then it settles its wings and sits calmly near the water. Cormorants can be solitary, but are often found in groups of anywhere from two to a dozen.
Young Cormorants are brown and tan
Swimming submerged
The Cormorant is interesting to watch because it swims with its body partially submerged and its head and neck held above the water. When swimming it resembles a miniature Loch Ness Monster. The Cormorant eats small fish and aquatic insects. Like the Anhinga, it disappears under the water to catch its food. After it finishes eating and swimming, the Cormorant climbs out of the water to dry off in the "bat pose."
A young Cormorant, left, and an adult, right
The Cormorant is stockier than the Anhinga. Still, people often mistake one for the other because both swim "in" the water rather than on the water, and both dry their wings in the "bat pose." If you are not sure which one you are observing, keep in mind that the Anhinga looks very angular because of its thin neck and pointed bill. The Cormorant has a thicker neck and a shorter, hooked bill.
The Anhinga, above, is similar to the Cormorant,
but the Anhinga has a pointed bill.
The Cormorant photos on this page were taken at Howard Park
in Tarpon Springs, Florida.
All photos on this website by J.A. Heintz
All written material by D.C. Heintz
Copyright 2010 D.C. Heintz. All rights reserved.
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