Double-Crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum): The Underwater Hunter with a Wing-Drying Habit
By Avery Wren | Bird Nerd-in-Residence
If you’ve ever spotted a dark, long-necked bird perched on a rock with its wings spread wide like it’s summoning the sun—congratulations, you’ve met the Double-Crested Cormorant.
Equal parts stealthy diver and dramatic poser, this bird has a reputation that ranges from “fascinating fishing machine” to “local troublemaker,” depending on who you ask. But one thing’s for sure: it’s never boring.
Meet the Cormorant
The Double-Crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) is a widespread North American waterbird found along coasts, lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. It’s part of a global family of cormorants known for their exceptional diving abilities and slightly questionable fashion choices (more on that in a second).
- Length: 70–90 cm (28–35 in)
- Wingspan: 114–123 cm (45–48 in)
- Weight: 1.2–2.5 kg (2.6–5.5 lbs)
- Lifespan: Up to 20 years
During breeding season, adults sport two small tufts of feathers—those “double crests”—on either side of their heads. Subtle? Yes. Easy to miss? Also yes. But hey, the name had to come from somewhere.
Habitat: Water, Water, Everywhere
Double-Crested Cormorants are aquatic generalists, which means if there’s water and fish, they’re interested.
You’ll find them in:
- Freshwater lakes and reservoirs
- Rivers and wetlands
- Coastal shorelines and bays
They often gather in large groups, especially at roosting or nesting sites—think trees filled with dark silhouettes and a whole lot of… let’s call it “nutrient enrichment” below.
Behavior: Dive, Catch, Dry, Repeat
Cormorants are built for underwater hunting. Unlike many waterbirds that just dabble or skim, these birds go full submarine mode.
Using powerful webbed feet, they propel themselves beneath the surface to chase fish with surprising speed and agility. They can stay underwater for up to a minute, weaving through the water like feathery torpedoes.
Their diet is primarily:
- Fish (lots of fish)
- Occasionally amphibians and crustaceans
Now, about that wing-spreading pose.
Unlike ducks, cormorants don’t have fully waterproof feathers. This actually helps them dive more efficiently (less buoyancy), but it comes at a cost—they get soaked. So after a hunting session, they perch with wings outstretched to dry.
Functional? Yes. Dramatic? Also yes. It’s giving “I just conquered the depths and now I must air dry like royalty.”
How to Identify a Double-Crested Cormorant
Once you know the key features, these birds are surprisingly easy to spot—even from a distance.
1. All-Dark Body
Adults are mostly black or dark brown, sometimes with a subtle greenish or bronze sheen in good light.
2. Long Neck + Hooked Bill
Their neck is slender and slightly snake-like, ending in a sharp, hooked bill perfect for grabbing slippery prey.
3. Bright Blue Eye & Orange Face Patch
Up close, look for striking turquoise-blue eyes and a patch of orange-yellow skin at the base of the bill.
4. Low Riding in Water
Cormorants sit low—sometimes just the neck and head visible—giving them a sleek, almost reptilian profile.
5. The Classic Wing-Dry Pose
If you see a bird perched with wings fully spread like a living weather vane, you can be about 95% sure it’s a cormorant.
Where & How to See One in the Wild
Good news for North American birders: you don’t have to go far.
Best Locations
- Lakes and reservoirs (they love a good fishing spot)
- Coastal areas and estuaries
- Riverbanks with exposed perches
If you’re near water in the U.S. or Canada, your odds are excellent. Yes—even in the Pacific Northwest. (Hi from Bend 👋—take a drive to a nearby lake and keep those binoculars ready.)
Best Time
- Year-round in many regions
- Morning and late afternoon for active feeding
Pro Tips
- Scan for groups perched on logs, rocks, or docks
- Watch for birds diving and resurfacing nearby
- Look for that unmistakable wing-drying posture
And yes—they will dive the second you get your camera focused. It’s basically a personality trait.
Fun Field Notes
- They’ve had a PR problem. Cormorants are sometimes blamed for declining fish populations, though ecosystems are usually more complicated than that.
- Colonies can transform landscapes. Their guano can kill vegetation in nesting areas, leaving behind stark, ghostly trees.
- They’re ancient. Fossil records show cormorant-like birds dating back tens of millions of years.
- They swallow fish whole. Often flipping them into position with impressive precision before gulping them down.
Final Thoughts: Misunderstood, Unapologetic, and Weirdly Wonderful
The Double-Crested Cormorant isn’t trying to win any beauty contests. It’s not brightly colored or melodically gifted. It doesn’t sing at sunrise or pose delicately on flower stems.
Instead, it dives deep, eats well, dries off dramatically, and gets on with its life.
And honestly? There’s something admirable about that.
It’s a reminder that nature doesn’t have to be pretty to be fascinating—and that sometimes the most interesting birds are the ones doing their own thing, completely unbothered by our opinions.
Stay curious, stay kind—and if a bird poops on you today, take it as a sign of good luck.
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