
Double-Crested Cormorant - Phalacrocorax auritus
An archaic looking bird frequently seen at Parc des Rapides. The bird is mostly black with yellow, orange bill and face displaying two crests during breeding season. No sexual dimorphism.
Photography Tips
Parc des Rapides is an ideal location to observe and capture stunning photographs of cormorants. At the Northern tip of the park you can descend to the river level for capturing shots of this bird in flight with a unique perspective as the cormorants use to fly stream upwards nearby. Taking photographs of cormorants is relatively easy as they tend to fly slowly and have a predictable flight pattern. However, capturing clear shots of these birds in flight does require some specialized equipment, including a long lens with a focal length of at least 400mm and a wide aperture of f/5.6 or wider. Additionally, it's important to have a camera system that can quickly focus on moving subjects.
For capturing intimate close-up shots, Parc Angrignon is a great place to visit. This park boasts several ponds that provide opportunities to encounter these birds, especially the large pond, near the entrance to the metro, is a prime spot where cormorants frequently can bee seen, pausing and preening.
Observations by Season
Number of times the species has been spotted, identified and logged while visiting nature parks nearby.
Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
---|---|---|---|
6 | 7 | 5 | 0 |
A species is registered only once / park visit. Consult the page animal tracking to learn more about how we determine identifications and log observations in the field.
Photos of Double-Crested Cormorant

Double-Crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) flying stream upwards
Parc des Rapides - 2022-10-08
NIKON Z6; NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S Z TC-2.0x; Focal Length 400mm; Exposure 1/2000; Aperture f5.6; Iso 500;

Double-Crested Cormorant posing on a rock at the lakeside
Parc de la Cité - 2022-07-23
NIKON Z 6; NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S Z TC-2.0x; Focal Length 400mm; Exposure 1/1250; Aperture f/11; Iso 1000;

Close Up Double-Crested Cormorant
Parc Angrignon - 2019-09-29
NIKON Z 6; 300mm f/4.0; Focal Length 420mm; Exposure 1/1250; Aperture f/5.6; Iso 5000;

Parc Angrignon - 2018-10-20
NIKON D500; 300mm f/4.0; Focal Length 420mm; Exposure 1/1600; Aperture f8.0; Iso 2000;

Cormorant are speedy flyers and taking a photo close when flying by is not an easy task.
Parc des Rapides - 2017-09-30
NIKON D500; 150-600mm f/5.0-6.3; Focal Length 600mm; Exposure 1/2000; Aperture f6.3; Iso 900;

Parc des Rapides - 2016-10-15
NIKON D7100; TAMRON SP AF 150-600mm F5-6.3 VC USD A011N; Focal Length 600mm; Exposure 1/2000; Aperture f6.3; Iso 500;

Parc des Rapides - 2016-09-03
NIKON D7100; TAMRON SP AF 150-600mm F5-6.3 VC USD A011N; Focal Length 600mm; Exposure 1/1000; Aperture f6.3; Iso 360;

Parc des Rapides - 2015-09-20
NIKON D7100; 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6; Focal Length 300mm; Exposure 1/640; Aperture f5.6; Iso 320;

Parc Angrignon - 2015-08-08
NIKON D7100; 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6; Focal Length 300mm; Exposure 1/400; Aperture f5.6; Iso 800;
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