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The Long-tailed Cormorant or Reed Cormorant (Microcarbo africanus), is in the cormorant family Phalacrocoracidae. It breeds in much of Africa south of the Sahara, and Madagascar.

This is a small cormorant at 50–55 cm length and an 85 cm wingspan. It is mainly black, glossed green, in the breeding season. The wing coverts are silvery. It has a longish tail, a short head crest and a red or yellow face patch. The bill is yellow.

Sexes are similar, but non-breeding adults and juveniles are browner, with a white belly. Some southern races retain the crest all year round.

The Long-tailed Cormorant can dive to considerable depths, but usually feeds in shallow water. It frequently brings prey to the surface. It takes a wide variety of fish. It prefers small slow-moving fish, and those with long and tapering shapes, such as mormyrids, catfishes, and cichlids. It breeds on freshwater wetlands or quiet coasts.

Long-tailed Cormorant

Cormorant Long-tailed 8828

Cormorant Long-tailed 8830

Cormorant Long-tailed 8100

Cormorant Long-tailed 8493

Cormorant Long-tailed 8523

Cormorant Long-tailed 8708

Cormorant Long-tailed 8723

Cormorant Long-tailed 8099