In Washington we have three species of cormorant, but this Double-crested Cormorant Nannopterum auritum is the only one of the three species that is found on fresh water.
Coamorants are interesting species in that although they are deep diving species who spend much of their time on the water, they do not have waterproof feathers, and also spend considerable amounts of time drying their feathers. It is comnon to see a cormorant perched on a post or rock with their wings outstretched drying their feathers.
If it believed that by not repelling water the birds are able to dive deeper and more effectively to capture fish, and that this is to their advantage.
Cormorants nest in colonies, sometimes on rocky islands, and at other times in nests in trees.
In flight the Double-crested Cormorant has a distinctive "crook" in its neck, that helps birders differentiate them from the other species in our area.
Until next time, good birding!
