Crowned Cormorant
Microcarbo coronatus
The Crowned Cormorant (Microcarbo coronatus) is a rare cormorants and shag found in 2 countries, weighing about 762 g. The crowned cormorant or kuifkopduiker, 'Fringe-head diver', is a small cormorant that is endemic to the waters of the cold Benguela Current of southern Africa.
About the Crowned Cormorant
The crowned cormorant or kuifkopduiker, 'Fringe-head diver', is a small cormorant that is endemic to the waters of the cold Benguela Current of southern Africa. It is an exclusively coastal species and is not found more than 10 km (6 mi) away from land. This species is related to the reed cormorant, and was formerly considered to the same species.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The crowned cormorant is 50–55 cm in length. Adults are black with a small crest on the head and a red face patch. Young birds are dark brown above, paler brown below, and lack the crest. They can be distinguished from immature reed cormorants by their darker underparts and shorter tail.
Where it lives
When to see it
The Crowned Cormorant can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Crowned Cormorant?
- The crowned cormorant is 50–55 cm in length. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Crowned Cormorant?
- The Crowned Cormorant is a large sized bird weighing about 762 g.
- Where can you see a Crowned Cormorant?
- The Crowned Cormorant occurs in 2 countries, including South Africa and Namibia.
- What birds look similar to a Crowned Cormorant?
- The Crowned Cormorant is most easily confused with the Pygmy Cormorant, the Reed Cormorant and the Little Cormorant.
- Is the Crowned Cormorant endangered?
- The Crowned Cormorant is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Crowned Cormorant for real
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