"Common within limited range. Found on lakes, rivers, and protected saltwater bays ... Best distinguished from Double-crested by longer tail; at close range note less orange on bill and none on lores ...." (Fred J. Alsop, III, Birds of Texas, pp. 58-59).

"Uncommon to common summer resident along the upper and central coasts and inland ... Neotropic Cormorants are uncommon and somewhat more local during the winter, particularly inland. Inland populations are found on lakes and reservoirs in the eastern half of the state." (Mark W. Lockwood & Brush Freeman's The TOS Handbook of Texas Birds, p. 30)

I had first identified this bird as a Double-crested Cormorant, but now in contrast with the other cormorant, this one lacks the color on the lores, which the other has. The other additionally has buffy underparts, that his bird lacks. This bird now seems more likely to be a Neotropic Cormorant.

Photo taken with a Nikon D80, using a Nikon 400mm, f/5.6 manual focus lens.

September 5, 2008.