Photo: Knowledge and philosophy / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Reed Cormorant
Microcarbo africanus
Reed Cormorant (Microcarbo africanus) — Seabirds & Tubenoses of Africa.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Reed Cormorant (Microcarbo africanus) is a member of the Phalacrocoracidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 545 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Suliformes
- Family Phalacrocoracidae Cormorants, Shags
- Genus Microcarbo
- Species africanus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 545 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Phalacrocoracidae
- Order
- Suliformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Reed Cormorant hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it swims and feeds in and around water.
Migration
The Reed Cormorant is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Reed Cormorant (Microcarbo africanus) belongs to the Phalacrocoracidae family of the order Suliformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF mainly inland; widespread Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 545 g, with a wing length of about 19.9 cm and a tail of around 14.3 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 17.5 million km² — a very large global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Reed Cormorant?
The Reed Cormorant is a large bird that weighs around 545 g.
Where does the Reed Cormorant live?
The Reed Cormorant is found across Africa with a range covering AF mainly inland; widespread Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Reed Cormorant belong to?
The Reed Cormorant (Microcarbo africanus) belongs to the Phalacrocoracidae family, in the order Suliformes.
What does the Reed Cormorant eat?
The Reed Cormorant hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Reed Cormorant migrate?
The Reed Cormorant is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Reed Cormorant endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Reed Cormorant make?
1 real field recording of the Reed Cormorant — including its alarm call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Reed Cormorant's range?
The Reed Cormorant has a mapped global range of about 17.5 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Phalacrocoracidae
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Seabirds & Tubenoses
Endangered
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Least Concern