Reed Cormorant

Afrikaans name: Rietduiker

Photo © Steven Herbert

Microcarbo africanus

The Reed Cormorant is a common sight around freshwater dams around South Africa. It may also be found along the coast in some areas. Besides being found in South Africa it occurs over much of sub-Saharan Africa as well as Madagascar.

This cormorant feeds mainly on fish which it catches by diving under the water and chasing them. It can stay submerged for a substantial time (around 40 seconds). Normally it will bring its prey to the surface before swallowing it head first. It will also eat frogs and other aquatic life.

The Reed Cormorant can often be seen sitting on a stump or other low perch drying its plumage.

They make a nest in a tree or on the ground, amongst cover, and up to 4 eggs are laid.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	50	Microcarbo africana africanoides
2nd	50	Phalacrocorax africanus
3rd	50	Phalacrocorax africanus
4th	50	Phalacrocorax africanus
5th	58	Phalacrocorax africanus
6th	58	Phalacrocorax africanus
7th	425	Microcarbo africanus

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	50	Reed Cormorant
2nd	50	Reed Cormorant
3rd	50	Reed Cormorant
4th	50	Reed Cormorant
5th	58	Reed Cormorant
6th	58	Reed Cormorant
7th	425	Reed Cormorant

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	50	Riet-duiker
2nd	50	Rietduiker
3rd	50	Rietduiker
4th	50	Rietduiker
5th	58	Rietduiker
6th	58	Rietduiker
7th	425	Rietduiker

References and further reading

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 29

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 28

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 34

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 18

The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 42

Seabirds - Author: Peter Harrison - Published: 1983 - Page: 305

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 128

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 56

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 52

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 41

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 41

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 24

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 27

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 19

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 172

Questions and Answers - Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 5

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 64

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 50

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 64

Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 23

Freshwater Life - Author: C. Griffiths, J. Day & M. Picker - Published: 2015 - Page: 56

Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 177

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 40

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 24

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 7

Common Birds of the North Coast - Author: Bing Comrie - Published: 2005 - Page: 2

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 12

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 28

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 16

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 36

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 2

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 12

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 34

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 190

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 190

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds