Long-tailed Cormorant
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| Long-tailed Cormorant | ||||||||||||||
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| Phalacrocorax africanus (Gmelin, 1789) |
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