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| cape birding
route > birding spots > cape peninsula > bank cormorant |
Bank
Cormorant:
This
elegant Benguela endemic, which has suffered a massive population
decline (only 4 900 breeding pairs remain), has a propensity
for the unusual: it is the only cormorant to build its nest
from fresh kelp (seaweed), which it plasters to seaside boulders
with its own droppings. Moreover it is unique among birds in
that its extraordinary turquoise eyes change to red from top
to bottom as it matures, so that some individuals have bizarrely
two-tone eyes!
Care
needs to be taken in identifying this species, as the white-rumped
breeding plumage is absent on most individuals and is not
a good field character. It is, however, readily distinguished
by its lack of any bare facial skin, pot-bellied appearance,
and often-present small, bumpy crest. Reliable sites to see
this species include Kommetjie (p.22), Bakoven (p.31), Stoney
Point (p.62), and on the West Coast (p.46).
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Please do not use any text, images or content from this site without
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© Birding Africa 1997-2003 info@capebirdingroute.org
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