Long-tailed Cormorant

The Long-tailed Cormorant (Phalacrocorax africanus) is a member of the cormorant family of seabirds. It breeds in much of Africa south of the Sahara, and Madagascar. It is resident but undertakes some seasonal movements.

This is a common and widespread bird species. It breeds on freshwater wetlands or quiet coasts. 2–4 eggs are laid in a nest in a tree or on the ground.

This is a small cormorant at 50–55 cm length and an 85 cm wingspan. It is mainly black, glossed green, in the breeding season. The wing coverts are silvery. It has a longish tail, a short head crest and a red or yellow face patch. The bill is yellow.

Sexes are similar, but non-breeding adults and juveniles are browner. Some southern races retain the crest all year round.

The Long-tailed Cormorant can dive to considerable depths, but usually feeds in shallow water. It frequently brings prey to the surface. A wide variety of fish are taken.

References

• Seabirds by Harrison, ISBN 0–7470–8028–8
• Birds of The Gambia by Barlow, Wacher and Disley, ISBN 1–873403–32–1