White-breasted Cormorant

Afrikaans name: Witborsduiker

Photo © Steven Herbert

Phalacrocorax lucidus

The White-breasted Cormorant is a largish bird that reaches a length of around 90 cm or more. They are much larger than the Reed Cormorant. Immature birds do not show as much white on the breast and throat as the adults.

This is a common water bird and it can often be seen near bodies of freshwater as well as along the coast line and in harbours.

White-breasted Cormorants feed mainly on fish which they chase and catch under water. They normally bring their prey to the surface before swallowing it.

The White-breasted Cormorant can be found over most of South Africa where there is water. Unsurprisingly they are not found in the drier regions of the country.

These water birds breed in colonies and are monogamous. The male collects nesting material and the female constructs the nest. Around 3 or 4 eggs are normally laid.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	47	Phalacrocorax lucidus
2nd	47	Phalacrocorax carbo
3rd	47	Phalacrocorax carbo
4th	47	Phalacrocorax carbo
5th	55	Phalacrocorax carbo
6th	55	Phalacrocorax carbo
7th	427	Phalacrocorax lucidus

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	47	White-breasted Cormorant
2nd	47	White-breasted Cormorant
3rd	47	White-breasted Cormorant
4th	47	White-breasted Cormorant
5th	55	Whitebreasted Cormorant
6th	55	Whitebreasted Cormorant
7th	427	White-breasted Cormorant

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	47	Witbors-duiker
2nd	47	Witbors-duiker
3rd	47	Witbors-duiker
4th	47	Witbors-duiker
5th	55	Witborsduiker
6th	55	Witborsduiker
7th	427	Witborsduiker

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: 26

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 35

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 17

The Coastal Guide of South Africa - Author: Jacana Media - Published: 2007 - Page: 102

Two Oceans - Author: Branch, Griffiths, Branch and Beckley - Published: 2010 - Page: 354

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 3

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 127

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 105

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: 38

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 38

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 23

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 26

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 17

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 11

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 14

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 1

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

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 35

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 189

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 189

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 31

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds