Image via Macaulay Library
Double-crested Cormorant
- Scientific name
- Nannopterum auritum
- Family
- Phalacrocoracidae
- Conservation status
- Least concern
- Habitat
- Aquatic lake
- Wing shape
- Broad
- Tail shape
- Pointed
Where it came from
The Double-crested Cormorant, scientifically classified as Nannopterum auritum, is a widespread species of waterbird native to North America. Historically, this species faced significant population decline in the mid-20th century due to the widespread use of the pesticide DDT, which caused eggshell thinning and reproductive failure. Following the ban of DDT and the implementation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the species experienced a remarkable recovery, becoming one of the most populous and visible cormorants across its range.
The bird is characterized by its distinctively broad wings, which are adapted for both efficient flight and underwater propulsion, and a long, pointed tail used as a rudder during aquatic maneuvers. Evolutionarily, the species occupies a specialized niche as an expert pursuit diver. While its design is utilitarian rather than aesthetic, naturalists and ornithologists have long studied its unique physiology, noting that unlike many other waterbirds, its feathers are not fully waterproof, necessitating the bird's frequent and iconic behavior of standing with wings spread to dry them in the sun.
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About Double-crested Cormorant
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