
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 a good spot to watch and photograph this species. At the lower viewpoint in this park, you can step down to the level of the river and take shots of flying cormorants. The bird isn't flying rapidly and unpredictably. Thus, taking photos in flight isn't really challenging. You need though a long lens, 400mm at least, with wide aperture, f/5.6 or wider and the gear must acquire focus fast like for any birds in flight.
For close ups shots or video recordings while foraging, you may occasionally encounter this species in ponds in Parc Angrignon, near metro station or the large pond.
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; 70-200mm f/2.8; 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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