Double-crested Cormorant

The Double-crested Cormorant is a large, dark waterbird with a long neck, hooked bill, and webbed feet. Often seen swimming low in the water or perched with wings spread open to dry, this species is a proficient aquatic hunter that dives to catch fish. Its plumage is primarily black with bronze or greenish gloss, and adults feature small double crests during the breeding season.

Solid glossy black with slight greenish or bluish structural iridescence, characteristic of melanin-rich waterbird plumage; uniform coloration without banding

Pennaceous upper portion with a semiplumaceous or downy base; barbs are relatively loose near the base, lacking strong hooklets, which is typical for cormorant feathers that absorb water

Strong, dark blackish-gray central rachis tapering to a whitish calamus at the base; barbs are fine, dense, and angled closely along the shaft

Semi-glossy appearance, slightly matte compared to flight feathers, with a less waterproof texture than ducks, causing water to permeate the structure

Upper body, back, or wing covert, determined by its dark, glossy appearance and shape typical of waterbird contour plumage

Solid glossy black coloration with structural iridescence, lack of waterproofing oils resulting in a looser barb structure, and a distinct pale base at the calamus

Coastal marine environments, estuaries, bays, lakes, rivers, and swamps; frequently observed drying wings on docks, pilings, and coastal beaches like Holden Beach, NC

Widely distributed across North America, inhabiting both marine coasts and inland water bodies from Alaska down to Mexico and the Caribbean

Acts as a top aquatic predator in fish populations, serving as an important ecological indicator of aquatic ecosystem health and fish stock dynamics

Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) and other cormorant species such as the Neotropic Cormorant, which share dark plumage but differ slightly in size, geographic overlap, and feather microstructure.

Cormorants lack the heavy preen gland oils found in ducks, meaning their feathers become waterlogged when swimming. This adaptation reduces buoyancy and helps them dive deeper for fish, requiring them to spend considerable time drying their wings in the sun.

In some cultures, cormorants have been domesticated and used for centuries in traditional cormorant fishing, where fishermen tie a snare around the bird's neck to prevent it from swallowing larger captured fish.

Look along coastal wrack lines, beaches, and areas where cormorants roost or preen. Feathers from this species are almost entirely black and lack distinct white or brown patterns.

Good condition, intact rachis and barbs with minimal wear, likely a recently molted body feather found washed ashore

On the beach at Holden beach NC