Crowned Cormorant
Microcarbo coronatus
Number Of Mature
Individuals (Regional)
2 980
Regional
Population Trend
Decreasing
2025
Regional Category
Vulnerable
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CONTENTSOverview
Names
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IOC English Name: |
Crowned Cormorant |
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SA & IOC Scientific Name: |
Microcarbo coronatus |
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BirdLife International Taxonomy (scientific name): |
Microcarbo coronatus |
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Order: |
SULIFORMES |
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Family: |
Phalacrocoracidae |
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Species name author: |
Wahlberg 1855 |
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Afrikaans: |
Kuifkopduiker |
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Sesotho (South Africa): |
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Sesotho (Lesotho): |
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Siswati: |
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Zulu: |
iwondelimqhele |
Current Assessment Status
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2025 Regional Category [Criteria] |
VU [C1] |
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2024 Global Category [Criteria] |
LC (BirdLife International 2021) |
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Population size (Regional) |
1490 pairs (2018-2022 assessment, Crawford et al. 2024) |
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Population size (Global) |
5314 mature individuals (Crawford et al. 2024) |
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Distribution size (EOO) (Regional) km2 |
<20 000 (breeding) |
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Distribution size (EOO) (Global) km2 |
209 000 (breeding/resident) |
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Distribution size (AOO) (Regional) km2 |
137 (breeding) |
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Generation time |
8 years (Crawford et al. 2024) |
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Status change reason |
Genuine Change in Status |
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Migrant (in the region) |
No |
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Regional endemic |
No |
Historic Listing Information
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2000 Regional Status |
NT [C1; D1] |
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2015 Regional Status |
NT [C1] |
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Status change reason (if applicable) |
No change |
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2015 Population size (Regional) |
c. 1900 pairs |
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2015 Global Status |
NT [C1] |
Reason for Inclusion
Reason for Inclusion in the Assessment
>5% of the global distribution of Crowned Cormorant Microcarbo coronatus falls within the region. It is a near-endemic species, occurring additionally only along the coast of central and southern Namibia. In addition, the species was assessed as regionally Near Threatened in 2000 and 2015 and globally Near Threatened in 2015.
Category Justification
Category Justification
The regional population is assessed as Vulnerable under Criterion C1, with a population estimate of less than 10 000 individuals (1490 pairs in 2022) and an estimated loss of 308 breeding pairs (17% population decrease) over the three generations leading up to 2022.
Population Justification
The global population was c. 2657 pairs between 2018 and 2022 with the South African population then estimated at c. 1490 pairs (Crawford et al. 2024). Confidence in this regional population estimate is high.
Trend Justification
Based upon regular counts at breeding sites, the global population is stable (Crawford et al. 2024). The number of Crowned Cormorants breeding in South Africa fluctuated between 1300 and 2000 pairs between 1977 and 2022 (Crawford et al. 1982, 2012, 2024, Kemper et al. 2007). The South African population of Crowned Cormorant increased from 1688 breeding pairs between 1977 and 1981 to 1908 pairs between 2008 and 2012 and subsequently decreased to 1490 pairs between 2018 and 2022 (Crawford et al. 2024). Generation length is eight years (Crawford et al. 2024). Taking three generations as 24 years and assuming that the number of pairs breeding in 1998 (i.e. 24 years prior to 2022) was the average of 1688 pairs (c. 1979) and 1908 pairs (c. 2010), we get an estimate of 1798 pairs for 1998. The estimate of 1490 pairs for 2022 then equates to an estimated loss of 308 breeding pairs (17% population decrease) over three generations. Confidence in the regional population trend is high.
Biology & Ecology
Taxonomy
The species is now recognised under the ‘micro-cormorant’ group, genus Micorocarbo (Kennedy and Spencer 2014).
Identification
A small coastal cormorant measuring 54 cm in length and weighing 730–790 g. It features a distinctive frontal crest, usually semi-erect. Both sexes share similar glossy black plumage with short white filoplumes on the face, though males are slightly heavier. Scapulars and upperwing coverts are glossy grey-brown with blackish margins, while flight feathers and underwings are black. It has a black bill, with a yellow-orange gape, ruby-red eyes, and pink-red skin near the eyes that swells during courtship. Non-breeding adults are paler and browner in appearance (Crawford 2005).
Distribution
The Crowned Cormorant is endemic to southern Africa, occurring on the coast as well as on islands from Möwe Bay, Namibia, to Tsitsikamma, South Africa (Crawford 2005). In South Africa it has bred at 49 locations, including islands, mainland coastal sites that provide minimal access to mammalian predators (e.g. trees, coastal cliffs) and man-made structures such as shipwrecks or unused fishing vessels (Crawford et al. 2024).
Ecology
Crowned Cormorants are found on the coast and at sea mainly in inshore waters (<5 km). They breed mainly on islands and islets, but also on the mainland They build nests in trees, on old building roofs or walls, on old jetties, or atop high rocks and dolosse (Kemper et al. 2007). The species forages benthically in inshore kelp beds, mainly on small, non-harvested fish including Clinidae and Gobiidae (Crawford et al. 2012), as well as crustaceans, molluscs and polychaete worms (Williams and Соореr 1983). The species does not compete with commercial fisheries for food (Crawford et al. 2012).
Threats & Conservation
Threats
The Crowned Cormorant is extremely sensitive to human disturbance and will abandon its nest easily when approached, leaving contents available to opportunistic predators such as Kelp Gulls Larus dominicanus (Crawford et al. 1982, Crawford 1997). Great White Pelicans Pelecanus onocrotalus are also known to take young chicks (Mwema et al. 2010) while African Sacred Ibises Threskiornis aethiopicus have been observed eating eggs on Malgas Island (TR Cook pers obs). Cape Fur Seals Arctocephalus pusillus, which are increasing in numbers, are a threat to Cape Cormorants Phalacrocorax capensis and can kill up to 24% of all fledglings produced by a single breeding colony (Voorbergen et al. 2012). Similar predation on Crowned Cormorant fledglings is suspected, but has not been verified (Cook 2015). Crowned Cormorants and nine other seabird species ceased to breed on Marcus Island after the island was joined to the mainland by a causeway (Makhado et al. 2024). Crowned Cormorants are probably limited by the availability of nesting habitat. Any reduction of accessible human artefacts, like walls, abandoned buildings and platforms, or of small trees or bushes would affect their capability to find adequate and sufficient nesting habitat. The species is very susceptible to oiling, as it depends on inshore kelp beds to forage and these are often directly affected during oil slicks. Mainland colonies are sensitive to development and predation by feral and domestic cats (Crawford et al. 2024). Crowned Cormorants are also at risk to disease such as the H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (Khomenko et al. 2018).
Conservation Measures Underway
Current conservation actions include full protection of those breeding colonies, mainly islands, which fall under the jurisdiction of South African National Parks, CapeNature and Robben Island Nature Reserve. Lambert’s Bay, Dassen, Dyer and Vondeling islands are Provincial Nature Reserves while Malgas, Marcus, Jutten, Schaapen, Meeuw and Caspian islands are part of the National Park system and listed as Ramsar sites. Robben Island is a World Heritage Site.
Conservation Measures Proposed
Crowned Cormorants are highly dependent on the inshore benthic zone for foraging. Full protection of the inshore marine environment within a radius of 5 km around breeding colonies should provide adequate food. The species has very specific nesting requirements and colony managers should ensure that sufficient appropriate nesting sites are available and that there is limited human access and disturbances to colonies.
Research Priorities and Questions
- Regular population surveys should continue at known nesting sites, and potentially suitable habitat should be searched for hitherto overlooked colonies.
Contributors & References
Assessor/s
Alistair M McInnes, Robert JM Crawford, Azwianewi B Makhado
Reviewer/s
Shamiso Banda
References
Cook TR. 2015. Crowned Cormorant Phalacrocorax coronatus. In: Taylor MR, Wanless RM, Peacock F (eds), The Eskom Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Johannesburg: BirdLife South Africa. pp 289–290.
Crawford RJM. 1997. Crowned Cormorant Phalacrocorax coronatus. In: Harrison JA, Allan DG, Underhill LG, Herrremans M, Tree AJ, Parker C, Brown CJ (eds), The Atlas of Southern African Birds. Volume 1: Non-passerines. Johannesburg: BirdLife South Africa. pp 38–39.
Crawford RJM. 2005. Crowned Cormorant Phalacrocorax Coronatus. In: Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ, Ryan PG (eds), Roberts Birds of Southern Africa, 7th Edn. Cape Town: The Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird Book Fun. pp 573–574.
Crawford RJM, Shelton PA, Brooke RK, Cooper J. 1982. Taxonomy, distribution, population size and conservation of the Crowned Cormorant Phalacrocorax coronatus. Le Gerfaut 72: 3–30.
Crawford, RJM, Dyer BM, Geldenhuys D, Makhado AB, Randall RM, Upfold L, Visagie J, Waller LJ. 2012. Trends in numbers of Crowned Cormorants in South Africa, with information on diet. African Journal of Marine Science 34: 411–424. DOI: 10.2989/1814232X.2012.716373.
Crawford RJM, Dyer BM, Masotla M, Tom DB, Upfold L, Visagie JL, Makhado AB. 2024. Numbers, trends, status, and conservation of Crowned Cormorant (Microcarbo coronata). In: Makhado AB, Amaro A, Crawford RJM, Gottlieb TR, Morais M, Mwaala DN, Nghimwatya L, Seakamela M, Tom DB, Whittington AP, Witteveen M (eds), Atlas of marine turtles, seabirds, and seals in the Benguela Current and adjacent regions. Cape Town, South Africa: Population sizes and trends, conservation status, and Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas for breeding. Benguela Current Convention, Swakopmund, Namibia and Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.
Kemper J, Underhill LG, Crawford RJM, Kirkman SP. 2007. Revision of the conservation status of seabirds and seals breeding in the Benguela ecosystem. In: Kirkman SP (ed), Final Report of the BCLME (Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem) Project on Top Predators as Biological Indicators of Ecosystem Change in the BCLME. Cape Town: Avian Demography Unit. pp 697–704.
Kennedy, Spencer HG. 2014. Classification of the Cormorants of the World. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 79: 249–257. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2014.06.020.
Khomenko S, Abolnik C, Roberts L, Waller L, Shaw K, Monne I, Taylor J, Dhingra M, Pittiglio C, Mugyeom M, Roche X, Fredrick K, Kamata A, Okuthe S, Kone P, Wiersma L, Von Dobschuetz S, Soumare B, Makonnen Y, Morzaria S, Lubroth J. 2018. 2016–2018 spread of H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in sub-Saharan Africa: epidemiological and ecological observations. FOCUS ON 12.
Makhado AB, Dyer BM, Kock A, Masotla M, Upfold L, Crawford RJM. 2024. Breeding sites of seabirds from Cape Columbine to West Coast National Park. In: Makhado AB, Amaro A, Crawford RJM, Gottlieb TR, Morais M, Mwaala DN, Nghimwatya L, Seakamela M, Tom DB, Whittington AP, Witteveen M (eds), Atlas of marine turtles, seabirds, and seals in the Benguela Current and adjacent regions. Cape Town, South Africa: Population sizes and trends, conservation status, and Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas for breeding. Benguela Current Convention, Swakopmund, Namibia and Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.
Mwema MM, de Ponte Machado M, Ryan PG. 2010. Breeding seabirds at Dassen Island, South Africa: chances of surviving great white pelican predation. Endangered Species Research 9: 125–131.
Voorbergen A, De Boer WF, Underhill LG. 2012. Natural and human-induced predation on Cape Cormorants at Dyer Island. Bird Conservation International 22: 82–93. DOI: 10.1017/S0959270912000032.
Williams AJ, Cooper J. 1983. The Crowned Cormorant: breeding biology, diet and offspring reduction strategy. Ostrich 54: 213–219. DOI: 10.1080/00306525.1983.9634474.
Citation
McInnes AM, Crawford RJM, Makhado AB 2025. Crowned Cormorant. In: Lee ATK, Rose S, Banda S, Bezeng SB, Maphalala MI, Maphisa DH, Smit-Robinson H (eds), The 2025 Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini. Johannesburg, South Africa: BirdLife South Africa. Available at: https://www.birdlife.org.za/red-list/crowned-cormorant/
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