Spring Migration Arrival: Double-crested Cormorant

What marks the beginning of Spring? Is it the announcement by Punxsutawney Phil predicting an extended winter, or perhaps the commencement of Spring Training for baseball? In the avian world, a true indicator is the return of certain birds to Carillon Stonegate Pond in March.

This year, a Double-crested Cormorant was observed diving in the pond on March 2nd.

Identification: All About Birds provides a wonderful description: “the gangly Double-crested Cormorant is a prehistoric-looking, matte-black fishing bird with yellow-orange facial skin”. They have small heads on long, kinked (S-shaped) necks. They float low in the water with its thin neck and bill raised. They have distinctive beaks with the upper beak downward curving to create a hook at the end. They will perch upright on the water with wings half-spread to dry. The double-crest of the Double-crested Cormorant is only visible during breeding season. The Double-crested Cormorant averages 32 inches in length. They weigh approximately 4 pounds. And their wingspan is approximately 4 feet.

Flight Patterns: Unlike ducks, cormorants possess feathers that are not very waterproof. This adaptation allows them to become waterlogged, facilitating easier diving for efficient underwater hunting. However, this also results in higher energy expenditure during flight due to their short wings, which are adapted for swimming.

Behavior: Their fishing technique involves impressive underwater diving and chasing fish, propelled by their webbed feet and sometimes their wings. Double-crested Cormorants can dive to depths of up to 25 feet, primarily targeting mid- to upper-tier regions of a pond or lake. At Carillon Stonegate Pond, their dives typically last around 30 seconds before resurfacing.  The Double-crested Cormorant is one of the "submersible" birds of Carillon Stonegate Pond.

Diet: Their primary diet consists of fish, making the well-stocked waters of Carillon Stonegate Ponds ideal for their feeding habits.

Residence: Double-crested Cormorants are the most widespread cormorants in North America, frequently inhabiting inland freshwater areas. They can be found in diverse aquatic habitats including seasides, lakes, rivers, bays, and ponds. Sightings are typically in the morning hours, often involving a solitary bird diving for fish.

Migration: Northern Illinois Double-crested Cormorants generally migrate to the southern and southeastern United States during winter. However, populations in Florida and the Pacific Northwest may remain year-round.

Conservation Status: There is currently low concern regarding their population. According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, the Double-crested Cormorant population has been steadily increasing after declines in the early to mid-1900s. Estimates by Partners in Flight place the global breeding population at approximately 750,000.

Vocalization: Double-crested Cormorants are primarily silent. However, All About Birds describes their sounds as "deep, guttural grunts reminiscent of an oinking pig," typically heard during takeoff or landing. For a sample of these sounds, visit All About Birds.

Interesting Facts:

• Cormorants are closely related to pelicans.

• The name "cormorant" originates from the Latin 'corvus marinus,' meaning 'sea crow.'

• The oldest known Double-crested Cormorant lived to be approximately 22 years old.

• In 1974, Illinois had only 12 cormorant nests; today, Lake Renwick Preserve near Plainfield houses over 650 nests.

• In Asia, cormorants are used for fishing, where handlers place rings around their necks to prevent swallowing the catch, which is then retrieved by the handler.

• Some cormorant species can reportedly dive to depths of 150 feet, making them among the deepest-diving birds.

For further information on Double-crested Cormorants and the sources used in this blog, please visit All About Birds, Audubon Society, and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

We all benefit from the variety of wetland, forest, and prairie environments that support diverse wildlife, plants, and insects of Carillon Stonegate Pond.

Take a hike and explore the natural beauty—see what you can find and identify!