Wildlife Damage Management, Internet Center for
Date of this Version
April 1991
Abstract
Double-crested cormorants (Phalacro-corax auritus) are a common migrant in Arkansas in the fall and spring. In most years, many linger until freeze-up prior to moving south. In south Arkansas, they may overwinter if climactic conditions are not too severe. Although they were formally year-round residents, there are no current reports of substantial breeding flocks in the state. According to band returns, most cormorants found in Arkansas come from North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba (James and Neal 1986).
Previous investigations by Bivings et al. (1989) and Campo et al. (1988) reported that gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) comprised the bulk of the diet of migrant cormorants. The purpose of this study was to further examine the impact of cormorants at Arkansas aquaculture facilities. I would like to thank N. Anderson, I. F. Anderson, D. Yocum, M. Freze, D. Nixon, H. Hammans, C. Summerhill, J. Wilkinson, B. Goetz, and the many others who assisted with this project. Thanks are also due to T. Booth, M. Hoy, and J. Jones for their encouragement and assistance.