Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) is in the Cormorants and Shags family (Phalacrocoracidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 159,480 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Double-crested Cormorant: observations by month (U.S.)
About Double-crested Cormorant
The double-crested cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) is a member of the cormorant family of water birds. It is found near rivers and lakes, and in coastal areas, and is widely distributed across North America, from the Aleutian Islands in Alaska down to Florida and Mexico. Measuring 70–90 cm (28–35 in) in length, it is entirely black except for a bare patch of orange-yellow facial skin and some extra plumage that it exhibits in the breeding season, when it grows...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Double-crested Cormorant by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 41,949 | January | Dec–Nov |
| Florida | 19,288 | March | Nov–May |
| Texas | 11,611 | January | Oct–Apr |
| New York | 7,354 | April | Apr–Oct |
| Massachusetts | 6,942 | August | Apr–Nov |
| Washington | 5,988 | January | Jul–May |
| Maryland | 5,214 | April | Mar–Oct |
| Virginia | 4,626 | April | Mar–Feb |
| Illinois | 4,327 | April | Apr–Oct |
| Pennsylvania | 3,799 | April | Apr–Oct |
| New Jersey | 3,523 | August | Mar–Nov |
| Ohio | 3,500 | September | Apr–Oct |
| North Carolina | 3,490 | March | Feb–Jan |
| Colorado | 3,463 | May | Apr–Sep |
| Oregon | 3,144 | January | Dec–Nov |
| Maine | 2,791 | August | May–Oct |
| South Carolina | 2,536 | March | Oct–May |
| Minnesota | 2,268 | April | Apr–Oct |
| Georgia | 1,716 | March | Oct–Apr |
| Michigan | 1,621 | August | Apr–Oct |
| Connecticut | 1,614 | August | Apr–Oct |
| Arizona | 1,318 | February | Oct–Apr |
| Tennessee | 1,257 | April | Mar–Oct |
| Alabama | 1,222 | November | Sep–Apr |
| Utah | 1,154 | May | Mar–Jul |
| Wisconsin | 1,148 | September | Apr–Oct |
| Louisiana | 1,145 | March | Oct–Apr |
| Rhode Island | 987 | August | Apr–Oct |
| Nevada | 960 | January | Dec–Nov |
| Vermont | 890 | April | Apr–Sep |
| Oklahoma | 852 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Delaware | 786 | August | Jan–Nov |
| Idaho | 784 | April | Mar–Oct |
| District of Columbia | 743 | April | Feb–May |
| Indiana | 730 | September | Mar–Oct |
| New Hampshire | 647 | August | Apr–Oct |
| Kansas | 495 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Mississippi | 442 | December | Nov–Apr |
| Alaska | 394 | August | Apr–Sep |
| South Dakota | 368 | May | Apr–Jun |
| Missouri | 338 | August | Mar–Nov |
| Arkansas | 337 | December | Oct–Apr |
| Nebraska | 304 | April | Apr–May |
| Iowa | 266 | April | Apr–May |
| Kentucky | 240 | September | Apr–Nov |
| Montana | 210 | July | Apr–Sep |
| West Virginia | 187 | September | Aug–Nov |
| Wyoming | 181 | August | May–Sep |
| North Dakota | 176 | June | Apr–Oct |
| New Mexico | 155 | April | Feb–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Cormorants and Shags)
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Double-crested Cormorant?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from March to February.
Where is Double-crested Cormorant most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Florida, Texas.