If you’re an avid bird watcher, you may have already spotted the double-crested cormorant in its natural habitat. This majestic bird is native to North America and can be found near both saltwater and freshwater habitats such as coastal cliffs, lakes, rivers, estuaries, and reservoirs.
Basic Description
The double-crested cormorant is a medium-to-large-sized bird that grows up to 35 inches in length with a wingspan of approximately 4 feet. It has dark feathers ranging from black to brownish-black with a white patch on each side of its head during breeding season that disappears once mating season ends.
Where To Find This Bird
You can find the double-crested cormorant all over North America – from Alaska to southern California’s coastlines throughout the United States eastward to Florida’s inland waters. During winter months they migrate southward into Mexico or parts of Central America.
Habitat
This species prefers water environments but it also spends time perched atop rocks or other elevated surfaces near shorelines where they are able to dry their wings after swimming underwater for extended periods. They generally nest on flat areas offshore within trees or shrubs adjacent bodies of water like islands on large lakes or along seashores.
Food
Double-crested Cormorants primarily feed on fish but also consume crustaceans and other aquatic animals including eels and amphibians such as frogs if available within their environment. These birds are known for their exceptional diving skills which allows them not only hunt more efficiently below surface level when searching for prey but also helps protect themselves against potential predators by remaining submerged longer than average given their ability swim quickly.
Cool Facts
One interesting fact about these creatures is how waterproof they become due to oils secreted by specialized glands located above tail area called uropygial gland (preen gland). Double-crested Cormorants have been known to dive up to 45 feet below surface level when hunting prey, making them one of the deepest diving birds in North America. When they emerge back from underwater, their wings appear damp as compared to other waterfowl with better-known waterproofing abilities.
In conclusion, the double-crested cormorant is a fascinating bird that has adapted well to its home within North America. With its exceptional diving ability and unique preen gland which makes it waterproof while swimming through aquatic environments for extended periods of time searching for food and shelter, this species definitely deserves recognition among avian enthusiasts who appreciate natural wildlife habitats all around us – both on land and sea!
