The size of a small goose with a long neck and moderately long square tail. Rides much lower in water than waterfowl because feathering is less water-repellent. The bill is rather thin and has a slight hook at the tip. Gets its name from two rows of lateral crown feathers that are only present during the breeding season. Adults appear mostly black from distance, but show silvery and green iridescence from close range. Hatch-year birds are dusky brown above and vary from medium earthy brown to near white below. Bare skin around the base of the bill, and throat pouch is yellow-orange in all ages. Bill varies from nearly all yellow-orange in young birds to mostly dusky with some yellow at the base of the lower mandible on adults. The similar Neotropic Cormorant is smaller, with a longer tail and more limited facial skin bordered by white.

Length: 75 (cm) Wingspan: 130 (cm)

Voice:

Low grunts given at nesting colonies, but mostly silent.

Habitat:

Coastal areas, estuaries, major rivers, reservoirs and lakes, occasionally found on smaller ponds.

Behavior:

Flies with a somewhat crooked neck; alternates between flapping and gliding, gives the appearance of flying "uphill." Since their feathers are not water-repellent, they often sit with wings outstretched to dry.

Feeding:

Sometimes gathers in large semi-organized fishing flotillas where birds appear to be herding fish. May eat insects and amphibians too.