Double-Crested Cormorants
When Cleon posted his photo in the Public Forum of a raft of White Pelicans on the large lake near our house, he also posted a photo of the silt dam in that lake which was filled with Double-Crested Cormorants, a few Ring-billed Gulls, and several Great Blue Herons. In that photo you cannot make out these birds as Cleon was some distance away and could not pull over to shoot a better photo. These days, here in central Illinois, rural roads are crowded with big combines, tractors, and semis hauling corn and soybeans. The tractors and most especially the combines take up most of the road so drivers of cars have to be vigilant and yield. Cleon was in just such a situation when he tried to take that photo. We went back yesterday afternoon and the road was clear – no farm equipment anywhere. So we were able to pull over and I was able to take better photos.
These Double-Crested Cormorants are in migration from the Great Lakes, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, and are gathering here to forage and rest before continuing their migration to our southern states and the Gulf Coast of Central America. This lake is full of bass, crappie and bluegill. I also wrote about these cormorants right here on our small lake in my April 16th blog – their spring migration.
If you get a chance, take a good look at Double-Crested Cormorants through your binoculars – or better yet, a scope. Look at their heads. The bill is very interesting in that it is hooked. These birds dive and swim underwater to catch fish – and they are excellent hunters. The hooked beak is an asset. Now look at their eyes. In sunlight, their eyes are turquoise and through a scope, they are simply dazzling! Also notice the orange skin at the base of the bill. If you watch a flying cormorant land in the water and can get a good view of that orange patch as it lands, you will notice the bird puffs it out a bit just before it hits the water. This is hard to see as the bird is moving fairly fast and the light has to be just right, but when you do see it – it is definitely a WOW! moment. So neat!
And talking of birds flocking up for migration, as you are driving along highways, streets, or rural roads, take a look at the overhead wires. You might pass large flocks of blackbirds. The photo to the left is exactly how a large flock of Brown-headed Cowbirds will look on utility wires. All sitting right next to each other. If you are able to pull completely off the road onto the shoulder and stop for a few minutes, you will see these birds interact with each other. There will be some jostling for position. A good reason to always have your binoculars with you.
Other birds you might see in flocks on these overhead wires are Red-winged Blackbirds, swallows, and European Starlings – these species, and more, gather in flocks to migrate. Most of these flocks will stay together through the winter.
The White Pelicans are still here! 