Double-Crested Cormorant Fights Starvation

The following story about a double-crested cormorant was shared with us by Florida Keys Wild Bird Center in Florida.

On November 4, 2023, the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center received this juvenile double-crested cormorant. He was found to be emaciated and his eyes were a little sunken in. His intake weight was 970 grams (about 2.1 pounds).

We started him on EmerAid IC Piscivore at 3 percent of his body weight and each feed increased the amount to end up at 5 percent body weight. After three days on EmerAid, he was stable enough to start on fish smoothies.

Eventually he started eating on his own. We moved him into a large flight cage so he could work on his conditioning. We were able to release him after a month in care.