Double-crested Cormorant Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesDouble-crested Cormorant
Breeding adult
Large waterbird with a long tail and neck. Breeding birds have small tufts on the side of the head, but can be difficult to see. Note orange-yellow skin around the base of the bill and chin.
© Anonymous / Macaulay LibraryWashington, April 11, 2017Juvenile
Large, gangly waterbird with a long, hooked bill. Juveniles have orange-yellow skin around the bill and a paler neck and breast. After fishing, stands on docks, rocks, and tree limbs with wings spread open to dry.
© Jane Mann / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, February 28, 2017Nonbreeding adult
"Wing-spreading" is a technique Double-crested Cormorants use to dry their feathers after swimming, as they lack waterproof feathers.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, February 16, 1997Not all videos have sound
Breeding adult
Flies with a bend in its neck. Dark overall.
© Evan Lipton / Macaulay LibraryRhode Island, April 28, 2017Breeding adult
Large waterbird with a long tail and neck. Breeding birds have small tufts on the side of the head, but can be difficult to see. Birds in the north west tend to have whiter tufts. Note orange-yellow skin around the base of the bill and chin.
© Mark Sawyer / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 10, 2017Nonbreeding adults
Individuals rest and preen in large groups on rocky or sandy islands.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, April 01, 2001Not all videos have sound
Juvenile
Juveniles have a pale neck and breast that gradually blends into its darker belly.
© Jason Duxbury / Macaulay LibraryYucatán, January 09, 2013Nonbreeding adult
Sits low in the water. Nonbreeding birds are dark overall with orange-yellow skin around the bill and chin.
© Evan Lipton / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, July 16, 2016Flock
Migratory flocks form over both land and water in irregular V-formations. Double-crested Cormorants constantly flap their wings and have a bulky appearance when flying.
© Matthew D. Medler / Macaulay LibraryNew York, September 02, 2014Not all videos have sound
Habitat
Breeds in colonies on the coast as well as on large inland lakes. Builds stick nests high in trees or on the ground.
© Oscar Wilhelmy / Macaulay LibraryMaine, June 15, 2017Nonbreeding adults
Dives for underwater prey such as schooling fish or aquatic invertebrates. A long, hooked bill aids in capture.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, February 17, 1997Not all videos have sound
Similar SpeciesNeotropic Cormorant
Breeding adult
Neotropic Cormorants are smaller with a longer tail. The area in front of the eye is covered by feathers instead of bare facial skin as it is on Double-crested Cormorants.
© Darren Clark / Macaulay LibraryLouisiana, March 16, 2015Similar SpeciesBrandt's Cormorant
Breeding adult
Brandt’s Cormorants are slightly larger with a shorter tail. Adults have bright bluish facial skin that Double-crested Cormorants do not have.
© Matt Davis / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, April 14, 2017Similar SpeciesPelagic Cormorant
Breeding adult
Pelagic Cormorants are smaller, with very thin necks, a tiny head, and a slender bill. Breeding adults show large white hip patches in flight that Double-crested Cormorants do not have.
© Jesse Amesbury / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 16, 2016Similar SpeciesGreat Cormorant
Breeding adult
Great Cormorants are larger and thicker overall with bigger heads than Double-crested Cormorants. Breeding adults have prominent white flank patches and a white patch around the bill that Double-crested Cormorants lack.
© Evan Lipton / Macaulay LibraryRhode Island, March 21, 2017Similar SpeciesAnhinga
Adult male
Anhingas are more slender with a longer, straighter bill and longer tail than Double-crested Cormorants.
© Peter Kaestner / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, March 06, 2017Similar SpeciesCanada Goose
Adult
In flight at a distance, Canada Geese can look similar to Double-crested Cormorants, but goose flocks don’t change shape as much, and geese don't pause flapping as cormorants do.
© Brian Collins / Macaulay LibraryWisconsin, February 18, 2017Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Cormorants and Shags(Order: Suliformes, Family: Phalacrocoracidae)
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