Reed Cormorant Microcarbo africanus

A small, speckle-backed cormorant that is common and widespread in fresh water. The adult is blackish with a short black crest above the bill. Immatures are brownish with paler underparts. Although they share the same habitat with Great Cormorant, Reed Cormorants can be separated by their much smaller size, red eyes, and proportionately longer tails. Generally, Reed Cormorant avoids the marine habitats of the similar-looking Crowned Cormorant, which has a larger crest, an unspeckled back, and a shorter tail.