During a visit to Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area this morning, a friend and I* encountered at least 53 double-crested cormorants, the most that I have personally observed at the refuge. No doubt, far larger flocks have passed through in spring or fall and the current State record on eBird is 3500 at Montrose Reservoir in the western part of the State (in mid November).
Primarily migrants in Missouri, double-crested cormorants breed across the Intermountain West, Northern Plains, the Great Lakes region and both Coasts; they are permanent residents along the Pacific Coast and from the mid-Atlantic Coast to Florida. Those that breed in the Interior head for southern Coasts in winter, including the Gulf Coast, or to major lakes and rivers of the Southeast. Here in Missouri (per MDC), a limited number of double-crested cormorants breed along the Mississippi River and, in mild winters, some migrants may remain in the State. Migrations through Missouri generally occur from mid March to mid April and mid October through November.
Attracted to the backwater areas of large lakes and reservoirs, these adaptable birds may become more common winter residents in Missouri as the climate warms. Neotropic cormorants, permanent residents of South Texas, Mexico and lakes of the Desert Southwest, occasionally wander into Missouri in late summer, especially in the western part of the State; their slender build and longer tail aid identification.
* In the spirit of social distancing, we used separate pickups
Primarily migrants in Missouri, double-crested cormorants breed across the Intermountain West, Northern Plains, the Great Lakes region and both Coasts; they are permanent residents along the Pacific Coast and from the mid-Atlantic Coast to Florida. Those that breed in the Interior head for southern Coasts in winter, including the Gulf Coast, or to major lakes and rivers of the Southeast. Here in Missouri (per MDC), a limited number of double-crested cormorants breed along the Mississippi River and, in mild winters, some migrants may remain in the State. Migrations through Missouri generally occur from mid March to mid April and mid October through November.
Attracted to the backwater areas of large lakes and reservoirs, these adaptable birds may become more common winter residents in Missouri as the climate warms. Neotropic cormorants, permanent residents of South Texas, Mexico and lakes of the Desert Southwest, occasionally wander into Missouri in late summer, especially in the western part of the State; their slender build and longer tail aid identification.
* In the spirit of social distancing, we used separate pickups
