Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)

Description: The double-crested cormorant has quite the iconic appearance: a matte-black body, aquamarine eyes, yellow-orange facial skin near their eyes and beaks, and during the breeding season they have two tufts of feathers that stick up on either side of their head, which is their “double crest.” Additionally, these cormorants have a slightly different neck compared to the other cormorant species found at Haystack Rock; the neck of a double-crested cormorant is sort of kinked in the middle, whereas the necks of the other cormorants are straight.

Habitat: Double-crested cormorants are found along Oregon’s coast year-round as they dive for fish and rest for more than half of each day. Not only are these birds found living along coastlines, but also amongst lakes and ponds inland. During the breeding season, they’re found in the northern middle region of the United States and the southern middle region of Canada. 

Nesting: Although most of the cormorants nesting at Haystack Rock are pelagic, there are occasionally a few double-crested pairs that spend breeding season in the area. Double-crested cormorants nest in a variety of locations along coastal areas including trees, the ground, and on rocks. At Haystack, you they are often on top of the second Needle. They lay 3 or 4 eggs and incubate them for 25 to 33 days. After hatching, they learn to fly at 5 to 6 weeks and become completely independent from their parents at 9 to 10 weeks.

Diet: Double-crested cormorants forage in the ocean and rivers for fish, crustaceans, mollusks, insects, and amphibians.

Tide Pool Tidbits:

• Like many diving birds, double-crested cormorants have very strong bones that can withstand the pressure of water as they dive deep for fish to eat. 

• The insides of their mouths are a bright blue color. 

• The “double crest” plumage found on these cormorants during breeding seasons are black, unless the bird is from Alaska (then the double crest is white). 

• Compared to other birds, these cormorants have less preen oil, meaning that water doesn’t roll off of them as easily as it would for a duck. Instead, their feathers can get rather soaked. This helps them dive deeper since air pockets don’t get trapped under their wings, but it does mean they need extra time to dry off. Double-crested cormorants are often found in the sun spreading their wings out to dry.

Reference: The Cornell Lab, Audubon