If you've ever looked across a lake and spotted a long, dark silhouette perched on a branch like a brooding water dragon, chances are you've met the Double-crested Cormorant. These sleek, fish-focused specialists are equal parts ancient and elegant, with a touch of "don't mess with me" thrown in for balance.
Habitat & Lifestyle
Double-crested Cormorants thrive in freshwater lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and coastal shorelines across North America. Think of them as semi-aquatic athletes: strong swimmers, expert divers, and quick to disappear beneath the surface with barely a ripple. Their hunting technique is wonderfully direct—they dive, chase fish underwater, and grab them with that impressive hooked bill.
Because their feathers aren't fully waterproof (a design feature, not a flaw), you'll often find them perched with wings spread wide, drying off like dramatic extras in a fantasy movie.
How to Identify One
Look for a large, slender waterbird with glossy black plumage, a long neck, and a vivid orange-yellow throat patch. Adults have those eponymous "double crests" during breeding season—tufts of feathers on either side of the head that can look spiky, curly, or just slightly unruly depending on the individual. Their emerald-turquoise eyes, though, are the real showstopper.
Where & When to Spot One
Your best bet is a sunny day near open water. Scan for low perches—branches, buoys, logs—and watch for that characteristic pose: wings outstretched, chest forward, as if proclaiming dominion over all fish below. Early morning or late afternoon gives you the best lighting and the highest chance of seeing their plumage shine.
Stay curious, stay kind—and give a little nod to the next cormorant you meet. It's a master of the underwater world.
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