Neotropic Cormorant (Nannopterum brasilianum) or Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum)
This is the most widespread and abundant cormorant species in North America.
They are extremely abundant throughout the American tropics and subtropics. In the United States, they are common year-round residents in coastal marshes, lakes, and estuaries across Texas, the Gulf Coast, and the southwestern U.S., including the Baja Peninsula and mainland Mexico.
These photos are from my family albums and were taken on the Baja beach in Mexico!
Cormorants are pursuit divers that propel themselves underwater using their large, webbed feet to chase down small fish.
To dive efficiently, these birds lack the heavy, waterproof oil coatings of other seabirds. This allows their feathers to absorb a small amount of water, making them less buoyant and better able to stay submerged.
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You often see them with their wings spread wide open dryithg their feathers so that they can fly and regain bouyabcy to be ready for the next fishing dive.
This series of action photos captures the difference in size and wingspan, of the pelicans and commorant.
Brown Pelican have an average wingspan of 42 to 54 inches (106 - 137 cm)
Double-crested Cormorant 28 to 35 inches (70 - 90 cm)
