From Opus

Photo by albertvoigts
Location: Seal Island near Lüderitz, Namibia

Phalacrocorax neglectus

[edit] Identification

Length 75-76 cm, mass 1.5-2.4 kg; males larger than females. A large, robust, black cormorant.

Breeding adult: Plumage black with a white rump and white filoplumes on the sides of the head. A small crest on the forecrown gives the impression of a steep forehead and flat crown. The top half of the eye is orange brown, and the lower half is green or turquoise. The bill, eye-ring, bare gular pouch, legs and feet are black.

Non-breeding adult: Lacks white plumage, body browner.

[edit] Similar species

The Cape Cormorant is more slender and slightly smaller, with a thinner neck and thinner bill. It lacks the peaked forecrown and has an orange-yellow gular pouch.

[edit] Distribution

Coast of Namibia and western and southern coast of South Africa.

[edit] Taxonomy

Monotypic.

[edit] Habitat

Marine coast.

[edit] Status

Classified as Endangered in the IUCN Red List (BirdLife International, 2007).

[edit] Behaviour

Feeds on fish, crustaceans and cephalopods.

[edit] Breeding

A monogamous colony breeder. The nest is a large mound of seaweed and guano; built on rocks or man-made structures. One to four eggs are laid and incubated on top of the webbed feet of the adult for 28-32 days; both sexes incubate. Threats while breeding include damage to eggs when incubating adults are disturbed, predation of eggs by Kelp Gulls while adults are off the nest, and storm seas.

[edit] References

1. BirdLife International (2007) Species factsheet: Phalacrocorax neglectus. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 16/4/2008.
2. Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ & Ryan PG (eds) 2005. Robert's Birds of Southern Africa, 7th edition. John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, Cape Town, South Africa. ISBN 0620340533

[edit] External Links