Bird field guide · Cormorants and Shags

Photographing the Double-crested Cormorant

How to photograph the Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum): the right lens for its size, shutter speeds for perched and moving animals, and when it's most often seen (April, August and September).

70–100 cm1/2500–1/4000 s
Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum)
Photo: © Eridan Xharahi, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Eridan Xharahi via iNaturalist
70–100 cm
Typical length (family range)
1/1000 s
Shutter: perched / still
1/2500–1/4000 s
Shutter: action / flight
f/7.1–f/8
Aperture
198,372
Research-grade sightings in N. America
ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float
Shutter (still)1/1000 s
Shutter (action)1/2500–1/4000 s
Aperturef/7.1–f/8
FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionBright sand and surf fool meters — dial in exposure manually or with auto-ISO and compensation.
DriveHigh-speed burst
Lens100–400 mmFull-frame equivalent

Focal length needed to frame it#

For a subject about 85 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.

Distance⅓ of frame (FF)½ of frame (FF)⅓ of frame (APS-C)⅓ of frame (MFT)
5 m (16 ft)69 mm104 mm46 mm34 mm
10 m (33 ft)138 mm207 mm92 mm69 mm
15 m (49 ft)207 mm311 mm138 mm103 mm
20 m (66 ft)276 mm415 mm184 mm138 mm
30 m (98 ft)414 mm622 mm276 mm207 mm
50 m (164 ft)689 mm1,037 mm459 mm345 mm

When to find it#

Jan: 7% Jan Feb: 7% Feb Mar: 9% Mar Apr: 12% Apr May: 9% May Jun: 7% Jun Jul: 8% Jul Aug: 10% Aug Sep: 10% Sep Oct: 7% Oct Nov: 7% Nov Dec: 7% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: April, August and September.

About the Double-crested Cormorant#

The double-crested cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) is a member of the cormorant family of water birds. It is found near rivers and lakes, and in coastal areas, and is widely distributed across North America, from the Aleutian Islands in Alaska down to Florida and Mexico. Measuring 70–90 cm (28–35 in) in length, it is entirely black except for a bare patch of orange-yellow facial skin and some extra plumage that it exhibits in the breeding season, when it grows...

Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field-craft tips#

  • Drying wings on posts — easy, characterful poses.
  • Bright sand and surf fool meters — dial in exposure manually or with auto-ISO and compensation.
  • Sightings peak in April, August and September, which is when you'll have the most chances.

Ethics#

  • The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
  • Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
  • Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
  • Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.

More Cormorants and Shags#

Neotropic Cormorant Neotropic CormorantNannopterum brasilianum Brandt's Cormorant Brandt's CormorantUrile penicillatus Pelagic CormorantUrile pelagicus

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph a Double-crested Cormorant?

At about 85 cm long, a double-crested cormorant fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 138 mm, or at 20 m with 276 mm.

What shutter speed should I use for a Double-crested Cormorant?

1/1000 s when it's still; 1/2500–1/4000 s for action.

When is the best time to photograph a Double-crested Cormorant?

Observations in North America peak in April, August and September. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources