Cormorants & Anhingas - Cormoran

Sleek, dark-colored, large to medium-sized, long-necked waterbirds with all toes joined by webs (totipalmate). Both species hunt their prey by submerging themselves underwater. They both lack oils on their feathers, allowing them to submerge underwater. Because of this, both cormorants and anhingas have to air-dry between hunts by holding their wings out while perched. 

The best way to tell if a bird in question is a cormorant or anhinga is to use their beaks. Anhingas use their long, straight, pointed beak to spear their prey. Cormorants, on the other hand, use their hooked bills to grab their prey.  

Though 4 species of cormorants are found in Canada, only the Double-crested Cormorant is normally found in Ontario. Others are referred to as accidental or vagrants. Only rarely do we see Anhingas in Ontario.

Did you know ???

For over 2000 years in Asia they have used species of cormorants to help them fish. They place a ring around the bird’s neck to prevent it from swallowing the fish.