Cormorants in Michigan (2 SPECIES TO KNOW) ID Guide!
Did you know the Double-Crested Cormorants is the most common cormorant in North America? You can find them in Michigan lakes and rivers. This ID Guide will teach you about two species: the Double-Crested Cormorant and the rare Neotropic Cormorant.
You’ll learn about their looks, where they live, and how they act. You’ll also find out about laws on hunting cormorants in Michigan. This guide will help you appreciate these birds more.
What Are Cormorants?
Cormorants are big, water-loving birds known for diving well and looking unique. They have long necks, sharp bills, and dark feathers. The double-crested cormorant is famous in the Great Lakes for its changing numbers.
These birds help keep fish populations balanced. They eat small fish like Alewife and Yellow Perch. Studies show they don’t hurt the numbers of big fish, even though some fish like Yellow Perch are fewer in some places.
Knowing about cormorants helps bird lovers and those who protect nature. They first came to the Great Lakes in 1913. By the late 1930s, they were in many lakes. Then, their numbers dropped a lot from the 1950s to the 1970s. But, they came back strong, with up to 50,000 in Michigan’s waters now.
But, cormorants face problems like bad environments and efforts to control their numbers. Their story shows how birds and their homes are connected. Efforts to protect their homes and food have helped them come back in the Great Lakes. This shows how important they are in our water worlds.
1. Identifying the Double-Crested Cormorant
The Double-Crested Cormorant is a common bird in North America. It can be found near both fresh and saltwater. This bird has unique markings and habits that help identify it.
Physical Characteristics
The double-crested cormorant has distinct physical features. Adults have a long neck and tail, making them look like small geese but smaller than herons. During breeding season, they have a double crest and orange-yellow skin on their bill and throat.
Their eyes are bright aquamarine, and their mouths are bright blue. They have dark feathers, making them look sleek. But, they keep their facial color in the nonbreeding season too. They often dry their wings on docks and rocks, showing off their pattern.
Behavior and Feeding Habits
The behaviour of cormorants is key to identifying them. They dive underwater to catch small fish, showing their adaptability. They use their long, hooked bills to hunt efficiently.
People often see them flying in irregular lines or sloppy V formations. After hunting, they spread their wings to dry in the sun. Their nests are made of various materials, including junk, showing their resourcefulness.
2. Identifying the Neotropic Cormorant (Rare)
The neotropic cormorant is a rare bird in Michigan. It’s a great find for birdwatchers. It looks different from the common double-crested cormorant. Spotting it needs sharp eyes.
Distinctive Features
Here are key things to look for when spotting the neotropic cormorant:
- Size: Adults are 26 to 30 inches tall, smaller than others.
- Coloration: They have blackish feathers with white throat patches and yellowish skin on their bills.
- Juvenile Appearance: Young ones are brown with lighter throats and bellies, unlike adults.
- Physical Build: They have a sturdy body, long neck, and small head. Their bill is slender, perfect for diving.
These traits help you spot the neotropic cormorant. They live in wetlands and lakesides. Their numbers are growing in Michigan.
CORMORANTS in MICHIGAN
In Michigan, knowing where cormorants live helps us see their part in local nature. They like big lakes and coastlines for breeding and hunting. This shows how they affect Michigan’s nature.
Habitat Preferences
Michigan cormorants love places full of fish. They like:
- Lake Michigan’s Beaver Island Archipelago
- Inland lakes all over
- Coastal areas with lots of fish
These spots help them hunt well and nest during breeding season. Their nests near water help them survive and have more babies.
Breeding and Nesting Sites
Cormorants in Michigan nest in high places, like trees. This keeps their nests safe from predators. Here’s what’s important about their nesting spots:
- Double-crested cormorants start nesting in early spring to late summer. This is when it’s warm and food is easy to find.
- Even though they’re getting more common, big nesting spots are mostly near Lake St. Clair, not in Oakland County.
- Neotropic Cormorants, though rarer, also prefer places with lots of fish.
Cormorants migrate in May and early September. They use their nesting sites to leave. Learning about their nesting habits helps us understand Michigan’s lakes and coasts better.
Why Are Cormorants Protected in Michigan?
Cormorants are key to Michigan’s water worlds. They help keep fish numbers in check. This is why Michigan laws protect them from losing their homes and being hunted.
Michigan’s cormorant numbers have soared. From 125 pairs in 1972 to about 40,000 today. This growth has led to efforts to manage their habitats. Since 2003, there’s been talk of culling them to control their numbers.
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 calls cormorants protected. This year, up to 18,270 cormorants can be killed in eight Midwestern states. This shows the ongoing debate between protecting wildlife and managing their numbers.
Managing cormorants is a complex issue. Yet, their role in the ecosystem is vital. Finding a balance is crucial for Michigan’s ecosystems and wildlife conservation.
| Year | Nesting Pairs | Significant Events |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | 125 | Initial population estimate |
| 2000 | 30,000 | Major population increase |
| Current | 40,000 | Implementation of cull and management plan |
Migration Patterns of Cormorants
The cormorant migration patterns show us how these birds change with the seasons. Double-Crested Cormorants migrate south in groups. They fly in a V-formation, a sight that catches the eye of many.
In colder months, cormorants leave Michigan for warmer places. They go to coastal areas for food and homes. Their migration path changes with the weather and where they can find food.
Young cormorants face big challenges on their first migration. Their survival rate is about 0.37. But, by their second year, they get better at it, with a survival rate of 0.78.
Learning about cormorant migration makes birdwatching in Michigan better. These patterns are key to the area’s ecosystem. Watching these birds helps us understand their survival and how they interact with their surroundings.
Feeding Habits: How Many Fish Can a Cormorant Eat in a Day?
Cormorants are great at catching fish. They eat a lot of fish every day. An adult cormorant can eat one to two pounds of fish. This can hurt the number of fish in an area.
Studies show cormorants can cause big problems for fish farms. They can lose up to $200,000 a year. In Mississippi, 100,000 cormorants can eat nine million pounds of fish in 90 days.
Here’s a table to show how much cormorants eat:
| Area | Estimated Cormorant Population | Daily Fish Consumption (Pounds) | Estimated Fish Loss (Annual) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | 100,000 | 1 pound | 9,000,000 lbs |
| New York | N/A | 1.3 million bass/year | N/A |
| Alabama (Catfish area) | 25,000 | 1 pound | Variable |
Cormorants need to eat a lot because they burn a lot of energy. They dive many times to catch fish. This helps them survive and affects the fish in their area.
Legal Considerations: Can I Shoot Cormorants?
It’s important to know the cormorant hunting laws in Michigan if you want to hunt these birds. The rules change based on wildlife regulations to keep nature in balance. You can legally kill cormorants if they harm local ecosystems or fish populations.
In Michigan, officials can kill up to 9,650 adult cormorants and destroy 1,400 nests yearly. Before, they killed about 2,000 birds and oiled over 1,000 nests to stop hatching. This shows how big the problem is when cormorants gather in huge numbers.
Between 2007 and 2016, the average number of cormorants killed in the lower 48 states was 57,464. This shows how serious the issue is. In Michigan, they focus on 13 sites this year to control cormorants. They do this to protect fish, especially in areas like the Les Cheneaux Islands where fish numbers have dropped a lot.
You can’t hunt cormorants without knowing the rules. Remember, you can scare them away to prevent damage, but you can’t kill them without a permit. Always check the latest laws and follow them to avoid trouble.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Adult Cormorants Allowed to Kill | 9,650 |
| Nests Allowed to Destroy | 1,400 |
| Average Annual Take (2007-2016) | 57,464 |
| Cormorants Target Sites in Michigan | 13 |
| Federal Permit for National Take | Up to 121,500 |
Conclusion
Learning about cormorants in Michigan is key for their protection and for enjoying local wildlife. By studying their habits and habitats, you can improve your birdwatching. Their diet of small fish helps keep the Great Lakes healthy.
When you visit Michigan’s waters, remember cormorants are vital to the ecosystem. Their numbers have grown, showing they can adapt well. Yet, managing them is a big challenge for both wildlife and fishing industries.
Using birdwatching tips can make you see how important cormorants are. Watching them, think about their role in Michigan’s waters. Supporting their protection helps Michigan’s wildlife and environment thrive.
