The double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) is a long-lived, colonial-nesting waterbird native to North America. Fascinating Facts. Hear It Now! Are King Cormorants social? The geese below have claimed that island shoreline as their own. Flocks often fly in long lines or in loose “V” shaped flocks. Their plumage is not waterproof but this has the advantage of allowing them to dive deep, as buoyancy is reduced. They can be seen on both coastal and inland waters. flocks by the swarm of gulls flying about above them, for I have often discovered their presence in this manner. Their breeding colonies are usually quite dense and can be shared with other species of birds. What are King Cormorant birthing rituals like? It has an orange eye-patch and bare throat skin, with a blue eye-ring and the eye is green. Yes - they are birds that fly in flocks. Are King Cormorants social? Like the breeding colonies, the nightime roosts can be far from the feeding areas, and the cormorants spend hours each day flying in large flocks in V-formation or in long undulating lines. Though they look like a combination of a goose and a loon, they are relatives of frigatebirds and boobies and are a common sight around fresh and salt water across North America—perhaps attracting the most attention when they stand on docks, rocky islands, and channel … In mixed flocks, Neotropic Cormorants are obviously smaller and more slender, and have proportionately longer tails. Dark and swift, flocks of cormorants soar above Lake Ontario before hundreds of them finally dip down to the diamond-flecked water. When a flock of cormorants are flying together, they adopt a V formation, similar to many other large birds. On the water, it can be distinguished from loons by the distinct upward angle of its head and bill. Over water, they fly low over the surface, but over land or during longer flights, they travel at great heights. Flock of great black cormorants flying in a sky Flock of barn swallows in flight above tree tops with sitting great cormorants Large flock of jackdaws in sunset A large flock of pigeons large flock of black birds crows flying on an isolated white background Large flock of newly shorn sheep Large flock of flying Greylag goose Anser anser, in the Hortobágy National Park, Hungary Large flock of flying Greylag … Geese, cranes, ibises, cormorants. Widespread in the Old World, the Great Cormorant was once an uncommon and local breeder in a limited area of eastern Canada. The Cormorant call is a deep guttural grunt. Shag in flight above the station gentoo rookery (Photo: Greg Stone) ... and sometimes gather in large flocks, particularly in the winter when thousands often form dense rafts at sea. They are gregarious. Birds Migrating in Flocks or Alone Some species of birds are highly social during migration, moving in flocks that may stay together for the whole journey. One of 38 species of cormorants worldwide, and one of six species in North America, it is usually found in flocks and is sometimes confused with geese or loons when on the water. The gangly Double-crested Cormorant is a prehistoric-looking, matte-black fishing bird with yellow-orange facial skin. What are King Cormorant birthing rituals like? King Cormorants will feed in flocks. Soon there will be eggs laying on the open ground and chicks will appear shortly after. The nest is usually a piled up construction made from grasses, seaweed and wood. It's a stirring sight on a bright spring day. How fast do King Cormorants fly? Cormorants are social birds and usually live in colonies, located on small stony islands, cliffs or trees. King Cormorants can reach speeds of up to 50 km per hour. Wiki User July 24, 2014 11:10PM. The mystery of why so many birds fly in a V formation may have been solved. Their breeding colonies are usually quite dense and can be shared with other species of birds. Cormorants are often seen holding their wings spread to facilitate drying (not warming as in other birds) and when taking off must often “patter” across the surface of the water to build up sufficient flying speed before taking to the air. Flocks often fly in "V" formations similar to geese. Similar species: The Pied Cormorant is similar to the … The Neotropic Cormorant often occurs with Double-crested Cormorants in Arizona and may be confused with that species. Double-crested cormorant adults shade the chicks and bring them water, pouring it into the chicks' mouths from their own.