Bank cormorant

Introduction: Bank cormorants (Phalacrocorax neglectus) are confined to coastal waters, rarely venturing any further offshore.

Distribution: Coastal areas such as Ichaboe Island, Mercury Island, Hoanib River mouth, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, Luderitz and the Orange River estuary.

Diet: Forages singly or occasionally in small groups, diving up to 40m in the water for lobster, klipfish, blennies, rock suckers and flatfish.

Description: Heavy, large cormorant with distinctive peaked forecrown, and black plumage, apart from white rump and filoplumes on the side of the head.

Breeding: A large hollow-topped seaweed nest, fortified with feathers and sticks and cemented with guano are built on coastal islands, inshore rocks, cliffs, boulders, walls and artificial platforms. Females lay 1 to 3 eggs, incubated for around 30 days.

Size: 75cm.

Weight: 2kg.

Wingspan: 1.3m.