Food habits of wintering double-crested cormorants in the Mississippi Delta

Given its ubiquity, it is not surprising that agriculture, including finfish aquaculture, contributes to food webs worldwide and used by numerous wildlife for foraging meeting other needs. Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) impact United States commercial aquaculture are considered the primary avian predator in catfish (Ictalurus spp.) facilities Mississippi Delta. Recent changes practices, regulatory policies, decreased overall hectares production prompted this study assessed cormorant consumption of relation their night roosts through surveys diet analysis. were collected from October April 2016–2018 (n = 69 collections). On average, constituted 33% a cormorant's diet, which less than reported previous studies. There was no statistical difference between channel (I. punctatus) hybrid punctatus x I. furcatus) based on biomass estimates, greatest occurred months February March. The best fit model predicting cubic polynomial function area within 30.6 km forage buffer roost. Our findings will inform managers about relationships roost locations aid decision making with respect management. Despite cormorants having shifted naturally occurring fish species associated remains an important part regional webs.