The first double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) I saw in New York City were in the Central Park Reservoir, but since then I have seen them in my travels throughout all five boroughs. I remember watching the cormorants fishing in China years ago. The fishermen would tie strings around the cormorants’ necks so they couldn’t swallow the fish. The cormorants would grab the fish, bring it to the boat, and trade for a smaller fish they could swallow. I prefer seeing cormorants without the strings!
I am constantly amazed at the blue, blue eyes these birds have.
The double-crested cormorants below were seen in Central Park in April and May 2020.