Description: These are large blackish water birds which appear to have S-shaped necks when perched. They swim with their bills lifted up and fly with a heavy wing beat and a bend in the neck. This species has a yellow-orange throat patch.

Range: Most of North America and from coast to coast. They migrate south to Belize to overwinter.

Habitat: Found on coasts in bays and also in freshwater lakes and rivers.

General: They nest colonially on sea cliffs or in trees around lakes and their large, bulky nests are made from sticks. They feed on fish and crustaceans.

Bovey, Robin, Campbell, Wayne, and Gates, Brian. 1989. Birds of Victoria and Vicinity. Lone Pine Publishing. Edmonton, Alberta.

Peterson, Roger Tory. 1990. Peterson Field Guides: Western Birds. Houghton Mifflin Company. New York, New York.

Udvardy, Miklos D. F. 1994. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds: Western Region. Chanticlear Press, Inc. New York, New York.

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