If you ever see a big black bird sitting on a rock in the ocean, with its wings held out, it is most likely a double-crested cormorant, one of six cormorant species in the US and the most widespread and common They hold their wings out to the side to dry them. Unlike some other aquatic birds like ducks, cormorants don't have a lot of natural oils in their feathers to repel water ("Like water off a duck's back"?). This makes them excellent divers, but also means they have to dry off after a swim. It dives for fish and occasionally small invertebrates. Sitting in the water, only its head and neck are visible. Aside from its greenish-black plumage, the cormorant has an orange "balding" face and gular pouch (a smaller version of the sort a pelican has), and two tufts of feathers on the sides of its head, hence "double-crested". Their white guano can often be found on exposed rocks.

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