Reed Cormorant

Reed Cormorant
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Pelecaniformes
Family:	Phalacrocoracidae
Genus:	Microcarbo
Species:	M. africanus
Binomial name
Microcarbo africanus (Gmelin, 1789)
Synonyms
Anhinga nana Microcarbo africanus

The Reed Cormorant (Microcarbo africanus), also known as the Long-tailed Cormorant, is a bird in the cormorant family Phalacrocoracidae. 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 species, and is not considered to be threatened. It breeds on freshwater wetlands or quiet coasts. Two to four eggs are laid in a nest in a tree or on the ground, normally hidden from view by long grass.

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, with a white belly. Some southern races retain the crest all year round.

The Reed Cormorant can dive to considerable depths, but usually feeds in shallow water. It frequently brings prey to the surface. It takes a wide variety of fish. It prefers small slow-moving fishes, and those with long and tapering shapes, such as mormyrids, catfishes, and cichlids. It will less frequently eat soles (which can be important in its diet locally), frogs, aquatic invertebrates, and small birds.

References

• BirdLife International (2004). Phalacrocorax africanus. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
• Johnsgard, Paul A. (1993). Cormorants, Darters, and Pelicans of the World. Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press. ISBN 1-56098-216-0. 
• Seabirds by Harrison, ISBN 0-7470-1410-8
• Birds of The Gambia by Barlow, Wacher and Disley, ISBN 1-873403-32-1