Marge I agree with you that Cormorants have been around for years, but ,to me , this bird is not one of those species that we see on our rivers and lakes . Cormorants are prevalent near the lakes and ocean down here also,and I just can't remember seeing one with such a short neck or that body color. Maybe it is a stunted bird
? Maybe it's truly the same as the one pictured on page 76 of the Audubon Field Guide, but I don't think so.
Mike Raburn This bird might as well be an invasive species. It's flocks have ruined the vegetation on at least two Islands in Lake Champlain , and it's diet mostly consists of small fish ( i.e.,perch ) with an adult consuming two lbs. a day, according to a Biologist at the Grand Isle Hatchery a few years ago. Unfortunately as a member of the Migratory Bird family, it is protected by Federal Law and cannot be hunted. Several sportsman found this out the hard way several years ago when they motored out to one of the devastated islands and were caught by Fish and Game Authorities as they were culling the flock !!! Strong consequences sent a message to others who might have tried to duplicate their actions. Later the biologists tried to reduce their population by destroying their nests and eggs on those same islands, but were unable to do so, I hear.
