Double-crested Cormorant
Nannopterum auritum · Seabirds
Double-crested Cormorant
Prospect Park, 15 November 2025
A Double-crested Cormorant on Prospect Park Lake in November, a fish-eater of lakes, rivers and coasts across the whole continent, and a bird that has come back to New York harbour in numbers since the water was cleaned up.
A hooked, orange-based bill and dark, only faintly glossy plumage. Cormorants lack the oil-gland waterproofing most waterbirds rely on, which is why they are so often seen standing with wings spread out to dry. The wet plumage is deliberate: a bird that sits lower in the water dives more easily. The "double crest" is two tufts of feathers that appear for a few weeks in spring and are otherwise invisible.
Birds, insects, plants and other wildlife, mostly from Brooklyn, with some from further afield.
Every photograph comes with notes on what it is.
Selected
Favourite shots. Filter by subject, or .
Places
Everything, by where it was taken.
Species
Larger catalogue of photos organized by species of animal or plant.
Catalogue
Every photograph, newest first. Narrow it by period, place or species; the three work together.
Updates
Coming soon. Sign up at the bottom of the page for updates.