Locally fairly common on lakes, rivers, and coastal bays. Behavior much as DCCO and often found together. ID: Small (15–20% smaller than DCCO) with thin neck, small head, and long tail, all features noticeable with practice. With good views, pointed small gular patch with white border is diagnostic. Like other cormorants, young birds (1 year) usually have darker and more uniform brown underparts than DCCO. Older birds have white plumes on cheeks in spring. Variation in size and shape from other cormorants often enough to be diagnostic, but can be difficult to judge carefully.