 (Courtesy of NOAA Photo Library) |
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) These cormorants are mostly black with an orange chin pouch and reach lengths of 33" (83 cm). They feed on fish and aquatic invertebrates by diving underwater using their strong paddle-like feet. Their wings are not waterproof so they must dry them out after fishing for food. They are often seen sitting on piers and rocks in an upright position with wings open to dry them. These cormorants nest in colonies on islands in Narragansett Bay. They migrate south of New England during the winter. |