Cormorant is the common name for 30 species of birds that occur world-wide. Six are found in North America. The most common North American cormorant is the double-crested cormorant. Adults are mostly black with slender beaks, long snake-like necks and short stiff tails. They often use their tail as a prop when they perch. They have a hooked bill and some birds have a yellow-orange throat patch. Cormorants have short legs and webbed feet for swimming. Both the legs and feet are black.

Habits

Cormorants are aquatic birds found on inland lakes, rivers and swamps as well as on the coast. Double-crested cormorants are daytime feeders that hunt alone or in flocks that may number 600 birds. Cormorants feed by diving and swimming underwater. They can dive to depths of 5 to 60 feet below the surface and stay under water up to 70 seconds. They eat mostly fish and sometimes small invertebrates such as crayfish. Cormorants use their webbed feet to propel them underwater. Cormorants run along the surface of the water to gain enough speed for flight.

Cormorants have no oil glands to grease their feathers and repel water. Therefore they sometimes perch with their wings spread out in the sun and breeze to dry their feathers after fishing underwater.

Cormorants are sociable birds and almost always nest in colonies. Their nests consist of sticks and other drift material and are built on the ground or in trees near water. They usually lay three to four eggs. Both male and female birds share nest-building, incubation and feeding of the chicks. The birds have the unusual habit of incubating their eggs by wrapping the webs of their feet around them. The young become fully independent after about ten weeks.

North American Range

Cormorants are found throughout the northern United States and Canada. In the winter they are found along the coasts and along rivers and lakes in the central northern states and in east Texas and Louisiana.

History and Folklore

The word "cormorant" comes from the Latin name corvus marinus which means "sea crow." Other names used for the double-crested cormorant are water turkey, water buzzard, crow-duck, Farallon cormorant, Florida cormorant, shag, Taunton turkey and white-crested cormorant.

In Asian countries, the cormorant is used to harvest fish. A ring is placed around the bird's neck so it cannot swallow the fish. The cormorant dives into the water, catches the fish and brings it back to the boat where the handler grabs the fish.