Fauna
Bird · GBIF taxon 9275717

Double-crested Cormorant

Nannopterum auritum

Also known as Crow Duck, Water Turkey, Double-crested Shag

Double-crested cormorants are expert divers that plunge deep into lakes, rivers, and coastal waters to pursue fish with rapid underwater foot propulsion. Lacking the waterproof oils found in many other waterbirds, their feathers quickly saturate, requiring long periods of wing-spreading on docks, rocks, or branches to dry out. Breeding adults display two tufts of delicate black and white crests above their bright sapphire-blue eyes and vibrant orange throat pouches.

Diving BirdCoastalFreshwater
Double-crested Cormorant reference1 / 6
Licensed referenceMdf / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
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—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Small Fish
  • Crayfish
  • Amphibians
Predators
  • Bald Eagle
  • Great Horned Owl
  • Coyote
ThreatsAquaculture control culls, entanglement in fishing line, and human disturbance at nesting colonies
HabitatsLakes, rivers, reservoirs, estuaries, and coastal waters
Life span15 to 20 years
Classification
  1. OrderSuliformes
  2. FamilyPhalacrocoracidae
  3. GenusPhalacrocorax
  4. SpeciesNannopterum auritum
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Capable of delivering a sharp peck with its hooked beak if cornered or handled; observe from a distance.
Responsible observation
  • Observation Distance: Give nesting colonies on islands or dead trees a wide berth to avoid flushing adults and leaving eggs exposed to predators.
  • Monofilament Awareness: Keep an eye out for individuals entangled in discarded fishing line around popular fishing piers and docks.
Related species
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