Cormorant Kerfuffle

Last spring I encountered what seemed to be a loud argument between a couple Double-crested Cormorants. As best I can determine, there seemed to be a dispute over the ownership of a log protruding out of the Raritan River. Or perhaps 1 cormorant was chatting up the other cormorant's girlfriend? Although I don't believe there was any physical contact, 1 of the cormorants sure seemed angry. Here's my recollection of the dispute.

Originally these 2 cormorants were sharing a log. Cormorant #1 was on a submerged part of the log, Cormorant #2 was on the protruding part of the log, and AFAIK neither was particularly friendly or hostile towards the other.

May 5, 2023 at Duke Island Park
Photo 282299316, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

Then Cormorant #3 swam around the log and approached Cormorant #2. Things still seemed calm and routine at this point.

May 5, 2023 at Duke Island Park
Photo 282300145, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

But the Cormorant #3 started "yelling" at Cormorant #2, causing Cormorant #2 to jump into the water and ceding his log spot to Cormorant #3.

May 5, 2023 at Duke Island Park

The next picture shows peace returning to the log, with Cormorant #2 swimming off the log and Cormorant #3 casually preening itself on a submerged part of the log. Cormorant #1 took all this in stride, basically just staying in its original spot.

May 5, 2023 at Duke Island Park
Photo 282300266, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

With the commotion over, Cormorant #3 basically claims the high spot on the log, and it and Cormorant #1 dry out their wings. Peace returned to the river in the aftermath of the kerfuffle. 

May 5, 2023 at Duke Island Park
Photo 282300278, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)


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