The Long-Tailed Cormorant (Phalacrocorax africanus africanus) is a large African wetlands bird with a long tail. It is also known as the Reed Cormorant.

It has black glossy feathers with some green iridescence. Its beak is yellow and smaller than the beak of the Great Cormorant. Its eyes are red, and its webbed feet are black.

It can grow to 56 centimetres (22 inches) tall, with an 85 centimetre (34 inch) wingspan.

Long-Tailed Cormorant

The Long-Tailed Cormorant likes freshwater lakes, where it feeds on fish. It dives below the surface to catch its food.

It builds its nest on the ground in tall grass next to a lake or water source. Females lay 2-4 eggs, which hatch after 28-31 days.

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM