Immature Double-crested Cormorants in flight: by Christian Artuso
How Do I Recognize It?
The Double-crested Cormorant is a large bird up to 35 inches long (bigger than a crow), with a long tail and neck, a sharply hooked bill, an often brightly coloured throat pouch and partially webbed feet. Adults are black and juveniles are brownish, with a paler neck and throat. Breeding adults sport crests on either side of the head.
Photo by Christian Artuso
Does It Migrate?
Northern breeders migrate to Manitoba from points south in late April or early May, in a wavy “v” formation much like that of Snow Geese. Most interior breeding populations winter from coastal North Carolina to the western Gulf of Mexico. Smaller numbers winter north to New Hampshire.
Photo by Christian Artuso
Where Does It Live?
The largest local colonies are found on lakes Winnipeg and Winnepegosis, with smaller colonies found across the province. Double-crested Cormorants build nests on islands, most often on the ground (bare rock, sandy substrates or sometimes on emergent vegetation in marshes) and also in trees. They lay one to seven eggs (two to three is typical). Colonies are located where fishes, their main food source, are in good supply.
Photo by Christian Artuso
Where Can I See It?
Double-crested Cormorants are relatively easy to find during spring and fall migration from southern to central Manitoba (rare in the north), on rivers, freshwater lakes and marshes. Spring and summer sightings will be mainly near breeding colonies. Non-breeding birds can be found on almost any body of water. Places to see them are West Shoal Lake, Natalie Lake and Lac du Bonnet. When not on the water, look for them in trees or on rocks as they rest or sunbathe, wings outspread, to dry off their feathers.
Conservation Status
Provincially, the Double-crested Cormorant is protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act (1994). Being mainly fish feeders, Double-crested Cormorants have been seen as competitiors to both commercial fishermen and anglers throughout North America, leading to sometimes drastic measures in an attempt to curb their numbers. Methods such as egg sterilization, nest destruction, hunting and trapping have been implemented in other provinces in the past.
Immature bird by Christian Artuso
Did You Know?
The Inuit used the primary feathers for arrows and in some parts of the Bering Sea used the hides for making parkas. In isolated coastal communities, early mariners and settlers used cormorant eggs to make soap!