MCR Monthly Newsletter

November 2025

Recently I have been approached by several hikers/visitors to MCR that were curious about these strange birds swimming with just their head above the water.

These are DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS – A large dark waterbird with a long neck and hooked bill.

These feathers on these fish-eating birds are NOT waterproof.  Keeping their body below the surface allows the feathers to absorb water making the bird less buoyant; these soaked, heavy feathers allow them to dive to depths of almost 150 feet in search of fish!

Cormorants have evolved to be better at flying underwater than in the air. You may often witness them dive and resurface many yards from where they initially dove, staying underwater for up to 70 seconds while in search of small fish.  They often pop their heads up to scan for small water snakes swimming on the surface (also a food item on their menu).

After diving/hunting their feathers are soaked and too heavy to fly efficiently in the air, they are often seen with their 39-inch wingspan wide open to allow the feathers to sun dry.  This behavior of holding the wings out wide is call the “horaltic pose,” which is a form of thermoregulation, helping them absorb sunlight to dry out but also to increase their body temperature for flight.  Very beautiful!

Merrill Creek Reservoir has become a rookery (communal nesting area) for these interesting birds and at times hundreds may be seen in the upper arm/cove on the north side of the reservoir near the orange or blue trails where Merrill Creek enters the reservoir. But more often seen from a boat/kayak across the reservoir.

I hope you get to see them!

Ranger Rich