The reed cormorant

The Reed Cormorant (Microcarbo africanus) is a small aquatic bird that belongs to the family Phalacrocoracidae. It is also known as the Long-tailed Cormorant or the African Reed Cormorant.

Reed Cormorants are found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in areas with freshwater, such as rivers, lakes, and wetlands. They are also commonly found in urban areas, such as parks and gardens with ponds or water features.

These birds have a slender body with a wingspan of about 80 cm (31 in) and weigh around 650 g (1.4 lb). They have dark brown to black feathers with a long, thin tail and a hooked bill. During the breeding season, they develop a white crest on their head and neck.

Reed Cormorants are excellent divers and can stay underwater for up to a minute while hunting for fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic creatures. They are also skilled fliers and use their powerful wings to travel long distances in search of food.

Like many other cormorants, Reed Cormorants have been known to cause conflict with humans, particularly fishermen, as they may compete for the same fish. However, they are also valued for their role in controlling aquatic pest populations.

Reed Cormorants are not currently considered threatened, but their populations may be affected by habitat loss and degradation due to human activities such as urbanization and water pollution. Conservation efforts to protect their habitats and reduce human-wildlife conflict are therefore important for their continued survival.

The Reed Cormorant (Microcarbo africanus) is a small species of cormorant bird that is commonly found in wetlands and along the coast of sub-Saharan Africa. It is also known by other common names such as the Long-tailed Cormorant, Black-and-white Cormorant, and White-breasted Cormorant.

Reed Cormorants have a distinctive appearance, with dark brown to black feathers on their back and wings, and white feathers on their belly and throat. They have a long, slender neck and a hooked bill that is used for catching fish, their primary food source.

Reed Cormorants are skilled swimmers and divers, and can often be seen swimming with just their head and neck above the water's surface. They are also known to perch on branches or rocks near the water's edge to dry their feathers in the sun.

These birds are generally solitary or found in small groups, and are known for their vocalizations, which include various croaks and grunts. They breed throughout the year, with breeding pairs building a nest out of sticks and other materials in trees or on man-made structures such as telegraph poles or boat moorings.

While the Reed Cormorant is not considered to be a threatened species, it is sometimes hunted for its feathers and meat, and its wetland habitats are under threat from human development and pollution. Conservation efforts are in place to protect their habitats and populations.