Wildlife of Mexico: double-crested cormorants resting on pier in Rio Lagartos

I have already dedicated several posts to the brown pelican, our favorite sea bird here in Mexico, but we have also been honored to meet the double-crested cormorant so let me provide you with some basic facts about this interesting bird and share one photo of these curious guys with you.

Reaching up to 90 cm (35 in) in length, the double-crested cormorant is a large water bird with a massive body, long neck and distinctive hooked bill. Inhabiting both inland waterways as well as seaside areas, the bird is commonly found in the North America and even in some parts of the Central America. Similarly to the pelican, the cormorant also hunts fish by diving – it can dive up to 30 m (100 ft) to catch a fish! Unlike pelicans, however, cormorants can also actively chase their prey underwater with propulsion created by their powerful webbed feet.

I don´t know whether these guys were resting after the hunt or just about to head out to catch some fish but they looked very relaxed and cool. I took this image in Rio Lagartos, a biosphere reserve and protected natural area located in the north of Yucatan, Mexico.

^{Click on the image for full view}

This is also my entry for today´s #animalphotography contest hosted by @juliank.