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Doug J | all galleries >> Birds, Birds, Birds >> Non-passeriformes Gallery > White-breasted Cormorant
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White-breasted Cormorant

Scientific name: Phalacrocorax lucidus
Order: Pelecaniformes

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Canon EOS 10D ,Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
1/400s f/4.0 at 200mm ISO 200 with Flash full exif

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comment
Doug J29-Feb-2004 10:29
Hi Betsy,

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the photos. Your comment concerning the spreading wings is interesting, I understand the belief is shifting more to a bird's feather drying practice. It is interesting to note that in the tropical climates, like Singapore, they spread their wings, and rapidly inhale and exhale air for hours after they have left the water. Perhaps it is still only a common routine they perform to dry their feathers even when they are dry.
Betsy Baker 27-Feb-2004 05:55
Doug, you take the finest bird photos I have ever seen! I am in awe.

Regarding your caption, I read recently in "The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior" that studies of Double-crested Cormorants have shown no correlation between air temperature and solar intensity when those cormorants spread their wings, and that studies of Flightless Cormorants have shown no significant change in body temperature as a result of spreading their wings. Since cormorants have a layer of waterproof insulating feathers next to their skin to protect them from getting chilled, but their outer feathers are not water-repellent, it is now believed that they spread their wings only to dry them.