Photo: D. Gordon E. Robertson / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Cape Cormorant
Phalacrocorax capensis
Cape Cormorant (Phalacrocorax capensis) — Seabirds & Tubenoses of Africa.
Found on 1 guide in our atlas — open it for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Cape Cormorant (Phalacrocorax capensis) is a member of the Phalacrocoracidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 1.2 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Suliformes
- Family Phalacrocoracidae Cormorants, Shags
- Genus Phalacrocorax
- Species capensis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 1.2 kg
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Phalacrocoracidae
- Order
- Suliformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Critically Endangered
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Cape Cormorant hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of open sea and coastal waters, it swims and feeds in and around water.
Migration
The Cape Cormorant is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Cape Cormorant (Phalacrocorax capensis) is a member of the Phalacrocoracidae family, within the order Suliformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF s coastal Africa: s Angola to s tip of Africa.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1.2 kg, with a wing length of about 25.3 cm and a tail of around 9.9 cm.
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 236,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Cape Cormorant?
The Cape Cormorant is a very large bird that weighs around 1.2 kg.
Where does the Cape Cormorant live?
The Cape Cormorant is found across Africa with a range covering AF s coastal Africa: s Angola to s tip of Africa, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Cape Cormorant belong to?
The Cape Cormorant (Phalacrocorax capensis) belongs to the Phalacrocoracidae family, in the order Suliformes.
What does the Cape Cormorant eat?
The Cape Cormorant hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Cape Cormorant migrate?
The Cape Cormorant is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Cape Cormorant endangered?
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
How large is the Cape Cormorant's range?
The Cape Cormorant has a mapped global range of about 236,000 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
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Seabirds & Tubenoses
Least Concern
Critically Endangered
Critically Endangered
Endangered
Least Concern