Phalacrocorax auritus                                               Photo Chris Burney ©

The double-crested cormorant is the most abundant and widespread cormorant in North America - seen along the coast and inland. They are large, dark birds with long hooked bills and a long tail. Double-crested Cormorants are sometimes confused with the anhinga, which has a longer, slender neck, a long, pointed bill and a much longer tail.  Both species spread their wings to dry while perching on branches near water.

Double-crested cormorants swim low in the water, with only their head and neck showing.  They do not plunge dive when feeding but dive for fish from the water’s surface.  

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