Cape Cormorant
Phalacrocorax capensis
Silhouette: L. Shyamal · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderSuliformes (Gannets, Cormorants, and Allies)
- FamilyPhalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
- GenusPhalacrocorax (Typical Old World Cormorants)
- SpeciesPhalacrocorax capensis (Cape Cormorant)
About the Cape Cormorant
The Cape cormorant (Phalacrocorax capensis), also known as the Cape shag, is a member of the cormorant family. It is endemic to the southwestern coast of Africa, and classified as "Endangered" by the IUCN. The Cape cormorant is most closely related to the great cormorant and Japanese cormorant.
The Cape cormorant is a blue-black bird with a glossy shine. The entire body follows the same coloration. There is little to no sexual dimorphism, with both males and females measuring 61–64 cm and weighing 1.1-1.3 kg, along with a similar plumage. The beak is dark grey-black, and a deep yellow-orange gular pouch can be observed. The eyes are turquoise with a greenish eye-ring around them.
Both non-breeding and immature adults have duller plumage, with a brown throat for immature adults. Juveniles are browner than immature adults, with grey eyes and a black, white, or speckled gular pouch. Males and females have a wingspan of around 260 mm. For breeding adults, the wings are bottle green.
The Cape cormorant is one of the 12 species in the genus Phalacrocorax, one of the 7 genera in the family Phalacrocoracidae. Phalacrocorax diverged from its... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Cape Cormorant in Namib-Naukluft National Park
LIVEiNaturalist
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Namib-Naukluft National Park | 🇳🇦 Namibia | |
| 2 | Table Mountain National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 3 | Garden Route National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 4 | Addo Elephant National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 5 | iSimangaliso Wetland Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Cape Cormorant in Namib-Naukluft National Park?
About 40% of wildlife watchers report a Cape Cormorant sighting in Namib-Naukluft National Park, based on 835 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Cape Cormorant in Namib-Naukluft National Park?
December has the highest sighting rate for Cape Cormorant in Namib-Naukluft National Park in our monthly data.