Double-crested Cormorant




Double-crested Cormorant


Double-crested Cormorant
(Phalacrocorax auritus)

Order:  Suliformes
Family:  Phalacrocoracidae








Photo Šarūnas Burdulis [CC SA 2.0]

Double-crested Cormorant Information

Length:  30 - 35"

Habitat:  Coastal bays, estuaries, and islands; rivers, freshwater lakes, ponds, swamps, reservoirs. Requires undisturbed area for nesting.

Diet:  Mostly fish, including both saltwater and freshwater fish; crustaceans, salamanders, snakes, sea worms.

  Calls of the Double-crested Cormorant


  Identification tips for the Double-crested Cormorant

Additional Information

Double-crested Cormorant
Habitat, diet, feeding behavior, nesting, migration, and conservation status of this bird. Includes range map, photos, and songs and calls. (From Audubon Field Guide)

Double-crested Cormorants

Double-crested Cormorant

© Don DesJardin

Breeding Bird Survey Map,
2011-2015

Double-crested Cormorant Breeding Map

(Image credit: USGS)


Range in New England

In New England, the Double-crested Cormorant breeds mainly along the coast. It also breeds in large numbers on Lake Champlain and in smaller numbers on other inland ponds and lakes, as well as in other suitable habitat in the region.

This bird is seen in migration throughout most of New England.

This cormorant is found wintering in small numbers along the coast of Connecticut and Rhode Island as well as far eastern Massachusetts - even, in some cases, as far north as the southern coast of Maine.


Year-round Map from eBird

Sightings of the Double-crested Cormorant throughout the year over past 10 years (2009-2019)


Christmas Bird Count Map
Historical CBC Map from USGS