Release of the Cormorant

On June 21, we got in a young Double-crested Cormorant from a local veterinarian's office, where someone dropped him off due to an injured wing.

Upon examination, we did not find the bird to have any fractures, only some tenderness in his left wing. With supportive care and anti-inflammatory pain medication his injury resolved, and he was ready to be released back to the wild.
Below are photos of his release by Lauren Schulz, our Education Coordinator:



B'Bye!
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Double-crested Cormorants are a common sight on Long Island. You can often see them sunning themselves on buoys and docks, as they are not waterproof the way waterfowl and gulls are. They have a very strong beak that they use when they dive for fish; they do not spear the fish but grab it in their bill. Look closely at photo #1 above; see how it is almost like a hook?

For more information on Double-crested Cormorants, click here.