H.J. Ruiz – Avian101

Cormorants

February 27, 2012 8:47 am

One of the most versatile sea birds are the Cormorants.All are fish-eaters, dining on small eels, fish, and even water snakes. They dive from the surface, though many species make a characteristic half-jump as they dive, presumably to give themselves a more streamlined entry into the water. Under water they propel themselves with their feet. Some cormorant species have been found, using depth gauges, to dive to depths of as much as 135 ft.

After fishing, cormorants go ashore, and are frequently seen holding their wings out in the sun. All cormorants have preen gland secretions that are used ostensibly to keep the feathers waterproof. Some source] state that cormorants have waterproof feathers while others say that they have water permeable feathers. There are many kinds of Cormorants all over the world.

The following photographs were shot in species from Florida.