Double-crested Cormorant

A dark, sturdy flight feather belonging to a waterbird adapted for swimming and diving. The Double-crested Cormorant is a large, dark-plumaged waterbird with a hook-tipped bill, often seen drying its wings on docks or branches.

Dark brownish-black to grayish-black coloration with subtle glossy sheens. The rachis is robust and light gray or white near the base, transitioning to dark distally.

Pennaceous vane structure with tightly interlocked barbs and barbicels, typical of waterbird flight feathers to provide waterproofing and aerodynamic strength. Lacks an afterfeather.

Sturdy, stout central rachis with a flattened upper surface and rounded underside. Barbs are densely packed and tightly angled along the shaft.

Stiff, smooth, and semi-glossy texture with water-repellent properties due to the structural density of the barbs.

Wing secondary flight feather, determined by its relative symmetry and moderate length compared to asymmetrical outer primaries.

Solid dark gray-black coloration, robust white-to-gray basal rachis, stiff waterproof pennaceous vane structure typical of aquatic diving birds.

Found near various bodies of water including coastal marine environments, estuaries, lakes, rivers, and large reservoirs.

Widespread across North America, ranging from Alaska and Canada down through the United States and Mexico, inhabiting both inland and coastal waters.

Acts as an apex aquatic predator regulating fish populations in both freshwater and marine ecosystems.

Other large waterbirds such as gulls, loons, or other cormorant species, distinguished primarily by precise structural measurements and exact tone of dark pigmentation.

Cormorants lack the fully developed oil glands that keep other waterbirds buoyant, which is why they must frequently hold their wings open to dry them in the sun after diving.

Historically used by Asian fishermen in cormorant fishing traditions, though feathers themselves have had minimal traditional use compared to ornamental plumes of other species.

Look along muddy shores, beaches, and rocky outcrops near lakes or coastlines where cormorants roost and preen.

Good condition with minor wear along the distal tips, damp from being found on muddy shoreline substrate.