Futurismo Biologists Team
Phalacrocorax auritus | Double-crested cormorant
The double-crested cormorant is a large aquatic bird with a small head and a long neck. The adults are dark brown whereas juveniles are lighter and have a white to greyish neck and chest. Males are slightly larger than females. During the breeding season the head of the adults develop a curled double crest of white and black feathers, the yellow face becomes more orange and the eyes turn bright blue. During the day they feed on small fish that they catch from surface waters. When in the water they swim very low, often with just the neck and head visible. On land they are often seen perching (e.g. on rocks, cables and trees) and drying their wings by spreading them. Double-crested cormorants form nesting colonies between May and July. They occur throughout North America, south Alaska and Mexico. In the Azores this species is a very rare vagrant that has been sighted around Vila Franca Islet.Length: 70 – 90 cm
Wingspan: 114 – 123 cm
Weight: 1,200 – 2,500 g
Longevity:
• Average: 6.1 years
• Maximum: 17 years
Diet: Fish, amphibians, reptiles
Reproductive age: c.2 years
Eggs: 1 – 7 (average 3)
Incubation: 25 – 28 days
Nesting sites: On the ground and in trees
Fledging: 6 – 10 weeks
In other languages:
Portuguese: Corvo marinho de orelhas
Spanish: Cormorán orejudo
French: Cormoran à aigrettes
Italian: Marangone dalla doppia cresta
German: Ohrenschrabe
Dutch: Geoorde aalscholver
Swedish: Öronskarv
Norwegian: Totoppskarv
Danish: Øreskarv
Finnish: Amerikanmerimetso
Futurismo Biologists Team
Sandrina Rodrigues
