Cormorant

Cormorant (Phalacrocoracidae):

There are 40 known species of cormorants and shags. The one most common in the New England area is the double-created cormorant. It is a large waterbird with a relatively small head and long neck. It has a thin and strong sharply hooked bill about the length of its head. Adult cormorants are dark brown/black with a small patch of orange skin on the face. More immature cormorants are browner and paler.

Cormorants float low on the surface of water and dive under to catch small fish, eels, and water snakes. After they are done fishing, they spread their wings in the sun to dry. The cormorant can sometimes be seen in freshwater. They form colonies of stick nests high in trees, rock islets, and cliffs. Their eggs are a chalky-blue color. An interesting fact about cormorants is that they have preen gland secretions that are used to keep the feathers waterproof. This enables them to be a successful New England waterbird.